Minimally Invasive Plasma Device Management of Multiple Benign Skin Cancers Associated with Rare Genodermatoses-Case Series and Review of the Therapeutic Methods

J Clin Med. 2024 Jul 26;13(15):4377. doi: 10.3390/jcm13154377.

Abstract

Background: Non-melanocytic benign skin tumours encompass a diverse group of lesions, classified based on their cellular origin, such as epidermal, vascular, fibrous, neural, muscle, and adnexal tumours. Though they often reveal solitary lesions, multiple skin tumours focus on genodermatoses. Each syndrome exhibits distinct clinical characteristics and potential complications, including cutaneous and extra-cutaneous malignancies, some of which are potentially life-threatening. Diagnosing genetic syndromes is complex and requires numerous histopathological and immunohistochemistry tests due to similarities between the adnexal tumours and basal cell carcinoma upon pathology. Methods: To illustrate the clinical practice, we conducted a retrospective case study that included eleven patients with genodermatoses referred to a tertiary dermatology clinic from September 2018 to April 2024. We have also conducted a research study on available treatment modalities in this setting. Results: Five patients with excellent aesthetic results were treated using a recently approved FDA plasma device. After searching SCOPUS and PubMed database records, we assessed 96 original articles to present current knowledge regarding the dermato-surgical approach. Conclusions: Multiple skin tumours, especially on the face, may significantly affect patients' quality of life and have psychological consequences. An appropriate treatment selection tailored to the patient's needs should be provided. There is no standardised treatment for multiple benign tumours in genodermatoses, and selected methods with varying efficacy are employed. We presented the utility of a new plasma device in these settings.

Keywords: Birt–Hogg–Dubé syndrome; Brooke–Spiegler syndrome; Cowden syndrome; Muir–Torre syndrome; adnexal tumours; genodermatoses; neurofibromatosis; nevus sebaceous syndrome; non-melanoma skin cancers; plasma device; treatment.

Grants and funding

This research received no external funding.