Xanthoma - Introduction - Bibliography

 

What Causes Xanthoma?

Xanthomas usually are a symptom of  health problem. They are caused because your body has an excess of blood lipids.  Cholesterol and triglycerides are examples of blood lipids. 

Some of the health problems giving rise to excess lipids and xanthomas include:

Diabetes

High cholesterol

Metabolic disorders, including familial hypercholesterolemia

Liver cirrhosis

Pancreatitis

Underactive thyroid

Certain cancers

https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/what-is-xanthoma

Multiple large xanthomas: A case report

Authors: Chen Zhao Mingxiang Kong Li Cao Qiong Zhang Yong Fang Weiwei Ruan Xiaofan Dou Xiaohui Gu Qing Bi

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Published online on: October 18, 2016     https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2016.5282

Pages: 4327-4332

Copyright: © Zhao et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

https://www.spandidos-publications.com/10.3892/ol.2016.5282

Introduction

A xanthoma refers to an exogenous mass that is visible on the body surface. Xanthomas are clusters of foam cells that form within the connective tissue of the skin, tendons and subcutaneous tissues. Xanthomas comprise important clinical manifestations of lipid metabolism disorders, and are commonly encountered in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). 

Xanthomas may be divided into several categories: Tendinous xanthoma, xanthoma tuberosum, eruptive xanthoma, xanthoma planum and palmar xanthoma. The most commonly observed xanthomas among patients with FH are tendinous xanthomas (40–50% of all patients), which are subcutaneous tumors located within the tendons used for extension, and mainly affect the Achilles, patellar tendons and extensor tendons of the hands, buttocks, elbows, eyelids and hand creases. Tuberous xanthomas are also commonly observed in FH patients (10–15% of all patients), and manifest as yellow nodules, often measuring ≤2 cm in diameter, and are located in pressure areas, including the extensor aspects of the knees, elbows and buttocks. The clinical manifestations associated with xanthomas depend on the duration and severity of hyperlipoproteinemia; therefore, the presence of multiple xanthomas often indicates severe and long-term FH and tends to be observed in patients with homozygous FH (HoFH).

https://radiopaedia.org/articles/achilles-tendon-xanthoma

https://www.thelancet.com/doi/story/10.1016/pic.2023.01.12.109375