Skin tag (acrochordon) on the labium majus

European Journal of Dermatology. Volume 8, Number 8, 587-8, December 1998, Votre diagnostic ?

Author(s) : P.T. Doe, C.E. Grattan, Dermatology Centre, West Norwich, Bowthorpe Rd, Norwich NR2 3TU, UK.

Summary : A 33-year-old woman was referred to us for a painless lesion on her vulva (Fig. 1). The pedunculated lump had increased in size over a five year period. She was somewhat embarrassed about its location but sought medical advice because it interfered with cycling. Otherwise she was well. Clinical examination revealed a large, pedunculated growth, resembling a "scrotal swelling", on her right labium majus. It was removed by excision under local anaesthesia.

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ARTICLE

A 33-year-old woman was referred to us for a painless lesion on her vulva (Fig. 1). The pedunculated lump had increased in size over a five year period. She was somewhat embarrassed about its location but sought medical advice because it interfered with cycling. Otherwise she was well. Clinical examination revealed a large, pedunculated growth, resembling a "scrotal swelling", on her right labium majus. It was removed by excision under local anaesthesia.

Skin tag (acrochordon) on the labium majus

Histological examination of the tumour demonstrated a rather large, but unremarkable, skin tag. There was no evidence of malignancy.

Skin tags are quite common. These pedunculated lesions develop around the neck and axillae, and other sites including the genital region. Increasing age and obesity are predisposing factors. They are benign [1]. Our patient presented with a giant skin tag on the labium majus. Although benign, the location and the sheer size of skin tags may cause cosmetic embarrassment and disruption of mobility (cycling in this patient). Skin tags can be removed by cautery or excision.

REFERENCES

1. Graham-Brown R, Burns T. Benign and malignant skin tumours. In: Lecture notes on Dermatology, 7th edition. Blackwell Science Ltd. Oxford UK, 1996: 121-3.