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Juvenile xanthogranuloma (JXG) is a benign tumor of the skin that occurs most often on the head and neck of infants and young children. This growth usually goes away without medical intervention. The tumor consists of an accumulation of histiocytes and Touton giant cells in the dermis, or the inner skin layer. Histiocytes are cells that are present in loose connective tissue, and Touton giant cells are large cells with many nuclei, often found in xanthomatosis, a condition characterized by the deposition of fats in tissues. Cases are described of 17 patients with a variant form of JXG. These cases of variant JXG had unusual tissue microscopic features, were difficult to diagnose, and were sometimes confused with malignancies. The clinical characteristics and microscopic features of this variant of JXG are described. A peculiar feature observed was the absence of Touton giant cells and foam cells, which contain a foamy cytoplasm. In addition, the number of dividing cells was large. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Lobular capillary hemangioma, also called pyogenic granuloma, is a common benign tumor of the blood vessels in the skin and mucous membranes, and develops spontaneously or following trauma. These tumors usually occur alone or as multiple lesions near the primary tumor site. A case is described of a lobular capillary hemangioma that developed into a widespread form. A 43-year-old man had a two-month history of numerous, widespread blood vessel lesions, that occurred on the scalp, trunk, and extremities. The lesions were two by six millimeters in diameter, firm, dark, red, and pimple-like in appearance, and bled easily. Histologic, or tissue microscopic, examination revealed lobular capillary hemangioma. The lesions were treated by surgical removal or electrocauterization, the use of an electric current to destroy the lesion and seal the blood vessel. No lesions recurred and no new lesions developed after treatment; some lesions spontaneously healed after bleeding. Widely disseminated lobular capillary hemangioma is an uncommon skin disorder that may resolve spontaneously, and can occur in healthy individuals. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Granuloma annulare is a skin condition characterized by the development of reddish nodules, or small aggregations of cells, arranged in a circular pattern. There are few reports of granuloma annulare associated with malignancy. A case is described of a 52-year-old woman who developed granuloma annulare before discovery of an abnormal breast mass. The skin lesion disappeared one month after mastectomy to treat breast cancer. One year later, the patient noted recurrence of the skin lesion, followed by recurrence of the breast cancer one month later. The granuloma annulare resolved within one month after chemotherapy to treat the cancer. Seven months later, the skin lesions reappeared; it was found that the cancer had metastasized to the brain. The patient underwent radiation therapy, which resulted in elimination of the brain tumor and the granuloma annulare. Studies have shown that granuloma annulare recurs at a rate of 41 percent, and frequently in the same location as the original lesion. The relation between the development of granuloma annulare and malignancy is not clear, but may be related to changes in the body's natural defense system. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)