What Is Dermatology - Acanthosis Nigricans
Acanthosis Nigricans
Acanthosis nigricans may present as darkening of the skin which appear to be thickens and dirty as well as velvety in appearance with skin lines which are accentuated. The surface of the skin is mammillated and rugose.
Acanthosis nigricans is a form of cutaneous marker which is mostly associated with malignancy, diabetes ( endocrine disorder ) and drug side effects.
There are 5 forms of acanthosis nigricans. These include type 1, type 2, type 3, type 4 and type 5.
Type 1 acanthosis nigricans is known as type 1 hereditary benign which has no relation with the endocrine disorder.
Type 2 benign acanthosis nigricans is associated with hyperandrogenic states, Cushing disease, acromegaly, insulin resistant type II diabetes mellitus, hypogonadal syndrome, hypothyroidism and Addison disease.
Type 3 pseudo acanthosis nigricans is due to obesity, metabolic syndrome and darker pigmentation. There will be velvety patch on the inners, upper thigh site mostly at the site of chafing with skin tags in neck and body fold.
Type 4 drug induced acanthosis nigricans due to high dose of nicotinic acid, oral contraceptive pills, diethylstilbestrol, growth hormone therapy and stilbestrol in young man.
Type 5 malignant acanthosis nigricans is associated with neoplastic disorder mostly adenocarcinoma of the genitourinary tract or gastrointestinal tract, lymphoma as well as bronchial carcinoma. There will be hyperpigmentation and hyperkeratosis with vermilion border of the lips and oral mucosa involvement. Besides that periocular , mammillar areas, palms and perioral region are also affected. The oral mucosa will present with delicate furrow and velvety texture. Mucocutaneous junction may also be affected.
Acanthosis nigricans may also occurs with hyperkeratosis of the soles and palms, “tripe hands” or accentuation of the papillary marking.Lesions may also present on the groins, antecubital fossae, umbilicus, submammary area and knuckles.
The common differential diagnosis of acanthosis nigricans may include pityriasis versicolor, ingestion of nicotinic acid, hyperkeratosis retention, X linked ichthyosis and Gougerot Carteaud Syndrome / reticulated papillomatosis.
Acanthosis nigricans can be treated with topical keratolytic or topical retinoids as well as treating the underlying disorders.
Acanthosis nigricans may present as darkening of the skin which appear to be thickens and dirty as well as velvety in appearance with skin lines which are accentuated. The surface of the skin is mammillated and rugose.
Acanthosis nigricans is a form of cutaneous marker which is mostly associated with malignancy, diabetes ( endocrine disorder ) and drug side effects.
There are 5 forms of acanthosis nigricans. These include type 1, type 2, type 3, type 4 and type 5.
Type 1 acanthosis nigricans is known as type 1 hereditary benign which has no relation with the endocrine disorder.
Type 2 benign acanthosis nigricans is associated with hyperandrogenic states, Cushing disease, acromegaly, insulin resistant type II diabetes mellitus, hypogonadal syndrome, hypothyroidism and Addison disease.
Type 3 pseudo acanthosis nigricans is due to obesity, metabolic syndrome and darker pigmentation. There will be velvety patch on the inners, upper thigh site mostly at the site of chafing with skin tags in neck and body fold.
Type 4 drug induced acanthosis nigricans due to high dose of nicotinic acid, oral contraceptive pills, diethylstilbestrol, growth hormone therapy and stilbestrol in young man.
Type 5 malignant acanthosis nigricans is associated with neoplastic disorder mostly adenocarcinoma of the genitourinary tract or gastrointestinal tract, lymphoma as well as bronchial carcinoma. There will be hyperpigmentation and hyperkeratosis with vermilion border of the lips and oral mucosa involvement. Besides that periocular , mammillar areas, palms and perioral region are also affected. The oral mucosa will present with delicate furrow and velvety texture. Mucocutaneous junction may also be affected.
Acanthosis nigricans may also occurs with hyperkeratosis of the soles and palms, “tripe hands” or accentuation of the papillary marking.Lesions may also present on the groins, antecubital fossae, umbilicus, submammary area and knuckles.
The common differential diagnosis of acanthosis nigricans may include pityriasis versicolor, ingestion of nicotinic acid, hyperkeratosis retention, X linked ichthyosis and Gougerot Carteaud Syndrome / reticulated papillomatosis.
Acanthosis nigricans can be treated with topical keratolytic or topical retinoids as well as treating the underlying disorders.
