A 48-year-old man presents to his physician complaining of large irregular white patches of skin around his mouth, nose, eyes, and genitalia which have been evolving for the past several years. He reports that he has not seen a physician since he immigrated from Mexico 10 years ago out of fear of being deported. He felt that he had to come in today, because he is fearful that his condition is cancerous. He has no known past medical history and does not take any medications. Physical examination reveals areas of complete depigmentation in the areas of concern to the patient.
Which of the following is the most accurate statement about the pathophysiology of his condition?
The correct answer is:
A) He has autoimmune destruction of melanocytes, and his condition does not carry an increased risk of skin cancer
This patient likely has vitiligo, characterized by irregular areas of compete depigmentation of the skin. These areas are particularly noticeable in patients with darker skin, especially around body orifices like the mouth, nostrils, eyes, genitalia, and umbilicus. It is caused by autoimmune destruction of melanocytes and does not carry an increased risk for cancer. In fact, some studies have actually shown that patients with vitiligo have a decreased susceptibility to melanoma.
Answer choice B: He has a decreased number of melanocytes with normal melanin production, and his condition carries an increased risk of skin cancer, is incorrect. The number of melanocytes in human skin of all types is essentially constant though the number, size, and manner in which melanosomes are distributed within keratinocytes vary.
Answer choice C: He has a normal melanocyte number with decreased melanin production, and his condition carries an increased risk of skin cancer, is incorrect. This describes albinism, where patients are born with a normal number of melanocytes, but they have decreased melanin production due to decreased tyrosinase activity or defective tyrosine transport. This condition does have an increased risk of skin cancer.
Answer choice D: He has damaged melanocytes from degradation of lipids by a yeast-like fungus, and his condition does not carry an increased risk of skin cancer, is incorrect. This describes tinea versicolor, caused by a yeast-like fungus of the Malassezia species. Degradation of lipids produces acids that damage melanocytes, and leads to formation of hypopigmented, hyperpigmented, and/or pink patches. This condition can be treated with selenium sulfide, or topical and/or oral anti fungal agents.
Answer choice E: He has superficial spreading melanoma and should begin treatment as soon as possible, is incorrect as the description of the skin is not consistent with melanoma.
Key Learning Point
Vitiligo is characterized by irregular areas of complete depigmentation of the skin, is caused by autoimmune destruction of melanocytes, and does not carry an increased risk for skin cancer.
