[Multiple familial "eruptive" dermatofibromas]

Abstract

Background: Multiple eruptive dermatofibromas (DF) are rare and frequently associated with immune and neoplastic diseases. There have also been reports of rare familial cases. Herein we report a new such case.

Patients and methods: A 79-year-old woman and her 37-year-old daughter were seen for disseminated DF over a period of several decades, from adolescence onwards. Neither had any history of diseases or treatments normally associated with multiple DF. History-taking revealed similar lesions in other family members.

Discussion: DF are common benign cutaneous tumours, generally seen on the lower limbs of young or middle-aged women. These lesions occur either in isolation or are relatively few. Multiple or so-called eruptive DF, defined by the presence of more than 15 lesions in a single patient, is rare and is associated in 60% of cases with autoimmune diseases, HIV infection, neoplastic disease or immunosuppressant therapy. Familial forms such as those described herein are extremely rare.