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Clear cell acanthoma is a rare benign (non-cancerous) epithelial skin tumour. It is usually a solitary lesion appearing on the lower legs but there have been cases of multiple lesions occurring.
Clear cell acanthoma is also known as Degos acanthoma or acanthome à cellules claires.
Clinical features of the lesion include:
Clear cell acanthoma
Clear cell acanthoma
Clear cell acanthoma dermoscopy
Clear cell acanthoma
Clear cell acanthoma
Clear cell acanthoma dermoscopy
* Images provided by Dr Jeremy Hay
It is currently not known why clear cell acanthoma occurs. Although rare, they occur mostly in adults of middle-age or older. Both male and females can be affected.
The diagnosis is rarely made before a skin biopsy. However, dermatoscopy is characteristic, as the blood vessels are lined up in strings (see images above). When examined under the microscope, clear cell acanthoma shows a characteristic accumulation of clear glycogen-containing cells in the epidermis.
They may persist for years and years without changing or causing any complications. They are easily excised.
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