Contents

SynopsisCodesLook ForDiagnostic PearlsDifferential Diagnosis & PitfallsBest TestsManagement PearlsTherapyReferences

View all Images (13)

Acquired hypertrichosis lanuginosa
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Acquired hypertrichosis lanuginosa

Contributors: Drew J. Klug MD, Jason E. Hawkes MD, Lowell A. Goldsmith MD, MPH
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Synopsis

Hypertrichosis lanuginosa acquisita (HLA), or malignant down, is a rare condition characterized by the appearance of lanugo hairs in generalized areas of skin. Lanugo hairs are fine hairs with little or no pigment and resemble the fine hair seen in some infants shortly after birth. HLA commonly affects skin sites with little to no hair growth, such as the nose and smooth, non-hair-bearing (glabrous) skin of the face.

HLA is classically associated with lung, breast, and colorectal carcinomas, but has been described in association with a variety of solid tumors. HLA due to internal malignancy shows a strong female predominance and typically occurs between the ages of 40-70 years. HLA may be accompanied by additional paraneoplastic signs or manifestations of internal disease, such as glossitis, taste disturbances, lymphadenopathy, acanthosis nigricans, and the sudden appearance of multiple seborrheic keratoses (ie, sign of Leser-Trélat).

Hair growth can occur up to 2.5 years before the malignancy is identified or up to 5 years after the cancer diagnosis. The etiology of tumor-associated HLA is presumed to be the result of a tumor-secreted product, though specific biochemical or hormonal causes have not been identified to date.

Codes

ICD10CM:
L68.1 – Acquired hypertrichosis lanuginosa

SNOMEDCT:
25967007 – Hypertrichosis lanuginosa

Look For

Subscription Required

Diagnostic Pearls

Subscription Required

Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls

To perform a comparison, select diagnoses from the classic differential

Subscription Required

Best Tests

Subscription Required

Management Pearls

Subscription Required

Therapy

Subscription Required

References

Subscription Required

Last Updated:12/09/2015
Copyright © 2024 VisualDx®. All rights reserved.
Acquired hypertrichosis lanuginosa
A medical illustration showing key findings of Acquired hypertrichosis lanuginosa : Hypertrichosis
Clinical image of Acquired hypertrichosis lanuginosa - imageId=336883. Click to open in gallery.  caption: 'Marked hypertrichosis lanuginosa on the arm, secondary to a medication.'
Marked hypertrichosis lanuginosa on the arm, secondary to a medication.
Copyright © 2024 VisualDx®. All rights reserved.