Background: Xanthomas are well circumscribed lesions in the connective tissue of the skin, tendons or fasciae that predominantly consist of foam cells; these specific cells are formed from macrophages as a result of an excessive uptake of low density lipoprotein (LDL) particles and their oxidative modification..
Diabetes and cholesterol levels that are well-controlled are less likely to cause xanthoma.
Other treatments for xanthoma include surgical removal, laser surgery, or chemical treatment with trichloroacetic acid.
Xanthoma growths can return after treatment, however, so these methods don't necessarily cure the condition..
Earlier studies suggested the cutaneous lipid accumulation was a result of de novo lipid synthesis [6,7].
Primary or secondary hyperlipidemic states can lead to xanthoma formation.
Primary hyperlipidemia results from genetic defects in receptors, receptor ligands, or enzymes involved in lipid metabolism..
Xanthoma is a skin condition in which certain fats build up under the surface of the skin.
Xanthomas are raised, waxy-appearing, frequently yellowish-colored skin lesions.
They may be associated with an underlying lipid (cholesterol/triglyceride) abnormality..
Xanthelasma.
Xanthelasma (also known as xanthelasma palpebrarum or xanthelasma palpebrum), is the most common form of xanthoma.
It is a type of plane xanthoma usually located around the medial canthus of the upper eyelid.
Upper and lower eyelids can be affected symmetrically..
In cases of xanthomatous foreign body reaction, xanthoma cells are admixed with foreign body giant cells with keratin flakes and are present within necrotic areas of the tumor or next to an area of ruptured cyst..
Some of the commonly encountered items in the differential diagnosis of xanthomatous lesions are included below: Eruptive xanthomas especially during the acute inflammatory phase can mimic acne, molluscum, and drug reactions
Tendon and tuberous xanthomas can be mistaken for cysts, lipomas, and other benign neoplasms
A xanthoma is a skin lesion caused by the accumulation of fat in macrophages in the skin
Less commonly, a xanthoma will occur in a subcutaneous layer
Who gets xanthomas? Xanthomas are usually a skin sign of disorders of lipid metabolism (dyslipidaemias) or occur in histiocytosis; the former is the focus of this page
Eruptive xanthoma presents as crops of pink papules which are often pruritic
It occurs as a result of high concentrations of plasma triglycerides
Many patients have uncontrolled diabetes
The xanthomas usually disappear when the underlying condition is treated
Medical condition
