Xiii.—multiple Benign Cystic Epithelioma Associated With Xeroderma Pigmentosum

Abstract

In reviewing the extensive literature dealing with these diseases, one is impressed with its complexity, the confusion of terms and the diversity of types of lesions. There are four points of similarity between the two conditions: (1) the hereditary tendency; (2) the unknown etiology; (3) the age incidence, and (4) the appearance of lesions, chiefly on the exposed parts of the body, consisting of atrophic cutaneous changes, pigmentation and multiple carcinomatosis. Benign cystic epithelioma (Brooke) may be defined as a circumscribed cutaneous atrophy and relatively benign carcinomatosis of unknown etiology and definite hereditary tendency, occurring in early life on the exposed portions of the skin, notably the face and hands, characterized by the formation from tiny pigmented papules, or of firm, raised, semitranslucent, pinkish, tubercular or nodular, flattened masses that show no tendency toward involution.