A Systematic Review of the Epidemiology, Clinical Characteristics, Treatment, and Outcomes for Desmoplastic Trichoepithelioma: Underscoring Mohs Micrographic Surgery in Management

Abstract

BACKGROUND Desmoplastic trichoepithelioma (DTE) is an uncommon benign adnexal tumor that histologically may mimic malignant tumors including basal cell carcinoma and microcystic adnexal carcinoma. OBJECTIVE To present a systematic review of the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, treatment, and outcome data on DTEs, with emphasis on comparing Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) with other treatments. METHODS Using the OVID platform, MEDLINE and Embase were searched from inception for studies providing original data on DTEs. RESULTS A total of 338 cases of DTE from 61 articles were included. No recurrence/persistence (0%) was reported following MMS (n = 24, mean follow-up of 41.9 months), 13.1% with standard excision (n = 38, mean follow-up 16.9 months), and 2.1% for electrosurgery/cautery (n = 49, follow-up 3–72 months). 100% recurrence/persistence for imiquimod (n = 2) and liquid nitrogen (n = 4) were identified. In patients who underwent biopsy only, there was a 12.5% recurrence/persistence (n = 32, mean follow-up 16.5 months). Overall, duration of follow-up varied from 2 months to 6 years for the various management strategies. CONCLUSION Data are limited regarding DTE outcomes. In this review, surgical modalities, specifically MMS, had the lowest rates of recurrence/persistence compared with other options. Given that most lesions are found on cosmetically sensitive locations, MMS seems to be the optimal management strategy for actively managing DTEs.