Becker's Melanosis and Hypertrichosis*

Abstract

lieeker's Melanosis and Hypertrichosis is a condition occurring predominantly ini/oung males between 10 and 16 years of age and is eharaeterized by a distinetive brown pigmentation on the shoulders and thoracic area, often associated with overgrowth of hair. The area involved is unilateral and often extensive. After an initial period of two or three years during whieh the lesions increase in size and hairiness, the eondition becomes stationary although there is evidenee that the pigment sloioly disappears in a few eases.Seven patients were observed with the eondition during o tii'o year period in Melbourne and their elinieal and histologieal findings are presented together iri/li a rerieii: of the literature.