Review of Scalp Alopecia Due to a Clinically Unapparent or Minimally Apparent Neoplasm (SACUMAN)
January 2006
in “
Acta dermato-venereologica
”
scalp alopecia neoplastic cells metastatic breast carcinoma carcinomas lymphomas benign neoplasms cytokine production interleukin production fibroplasia hair follicle destruction inflammatory alopecia scalp biopsies hair loss cancer cells breast cancer cancer immune cells benign tumors immune response inflammatory response scar tissue formation inflammatory hair loss scalp tissue samples
TLDR SACUMAN, a rare condition causing hair loss without clear signs, is often misdiagnosed and needs scalp biopsies for accurate detection.
The document from 2006 reviews a rare condition called SACUMAN, where neoplastic cells cause scalp alopecia without clear clinical signs. Metastatic breast carcinoma is the most common neoplasm associated with this condition, but other carcinomas, lymphomas, and benign neoplasms can also be causes. The mechanisms may involve cytokine and interleukin production leading to fibroplasia and hair follicle destruction. SACUMAN is often misdiagnosed as inflammatory alopecia, potentially leading to an underestimation of its prevalence. The review highlights the need for scalp biopsies for diagnosis and calls for more research to understand the cytokine profiles involved and to distinguish SACUMAN from inflammatory alopecia.
