Acquired hypertrichosis lanuginosa.Report of two new cases and a review of the literature

Abstract

Hypertrichosis lanuginosa is a pathologic state characterized by an excessive, new growth of fine, fetal hair. Two cases of hypertrichosis languinosa with malignancy (lymphoma and uterine cancer) are presented and added to the 9 in the literature. Lymphoma and uterine cancer are previously unreported as associated with hypertrichosis osis lanuginosa. Review of the 11 cases of hypertrichosis lanuginosa revealed the following characteristics: females were predominant; none was below the 4th decade; all had advanced neoplastic disease; all malignancies except one were of epithelial origin; and there were no demonstrable endocrine abnormalities. Despite an attempt to find etiologic factors in our patients and in the literature, none could be elicited.