A MALIGNANT PROLIFERATING TRICHILEMMAL TUMOR SIMULATING A SQUAMOUS-CELL CARCINOMA

An 84-year-old man with a 3x3 cm tumor of the nasal dorsum is describe d. The tumor was surgically removed, reconstruction was with a forehea d flap. Histologically the tumor was a malignant proliferating trichil emmal tumor (MPTT). There has been no recurrence or distant spread two years after surgery. MPTT is a rare tumor occurring mainly on the sca lp and face in elderly men. It can be difficult to differentiate from a squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), both clinically and histologically. I t has a tendency to metastasize and recur more frequently than SCC. Wh en a malignant tumor occurs on the scalp or face, the diagnosis of MPT T should be considered by both surgeon and pathologist.