Acanthosis nigricans

Acanthosis nigricans
Acanthosis nigricans on axilla
SpecialtyDermatology

Acanthosis nigricans is a medical sign characterised by brown-to-black, poorly defined, velvety hyperpigmentation of the skin.[1] It is usually found in body folds,[2] such as the posterior and lateral folds of the neck, the armpits, groin, navel, forehead and other areas.[1]

It is associated with endocrine dysfunction, especially insulin resistance and hyperinsulinaemia, as seen in diabetes mellitus. This activates the insulin-like growth factor receptors, which leads to proliferation of keratinocytes, fibroblasts and other cells in the skin. Activation of other growth factor receptors such as fibroblast growth factor receptors or epidermal growth factor receptor can also be responsible.[3]

  1. ^ a b James, William D.; Elston, Dirk; Treat, James R.; Rosenbach, Misha A.; Neuhaus, Isaac (2020). "24. Endocrine diseases". Andrews' Diseases of the Skin: Clinical Dermatology (13th ed.). Elsevier. pp. 502–504. ISBN 978-0-323-54753-6.
  2. ^ "acanthosis nigricans" at Dorland's Medical Dictionary
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference HIGGINS2008 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).