Multiple keratoacanthomas arising post-UVB therapy

• Published in: Journal of cutaneous medicine and surgery Vol. 8; no. 4; pp. 239 - 243
• Main Authors: CRADDOCK, Kenneth J, RAO, Jaggi, LAUZON, Gilles J, TRON, Victor A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hamilton, ON Decker 01.08.2004; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
• Subjects: Aged; Biological and medical sciences; Dermatology; Humans; Keratoacanthoma - etiology; Male; Medical sciences; Psoriasis - therapy; Psoriasis. Parapsoriasis. Lichen; Skin Diseases - etiology; Tumors of the skin and soft tissue. Premalignant lesions; Ultraviolet Therapy - adverse effects; Case study; Human; Skin disease; Iatrogenic; Multiple; Psoriasis; Dermatology; UVB radiation; Tumor; Complication; Keratoacanthoma; Phototherapy
• ISSN: 1203-4754; 1615-7109
• DOI: 10.1007/s10227-004-0122-8

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is known to be an important etiologic agent in the development of skin cancer. Keratoacanthoma is an unusual, well-described cutaneous neoplasm that resembles squamous cell carcinoma but spontaneously resolves. Rarely, multiple keratoacanthomas may develop. We present a case of multiple keratoacanthomas in a patient with psoriasis who had received UVB phototherapy. These lesions were hyperkeratotic papules, many of which spontaneously resolved and demonstrated the histologic characteristics of keratoacanthoma. We believe that UV radiation is the most likely etiologic factor in this patient's development of multiple keratoacanthomas. We wish to bring to the attention of clinicians this unusual adverse effect of UV treatment.