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

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.