The Role of Excision for Treatment of Chromoblastomycosis: A Cutaneous Fungal Infection Frequently Mistaken for Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Background: Chromoblastomycosis is an uncommon fungal infection of the skin caused by a variety of dematiaceous fungal species that is typically contracted through direct inoculation into the skin.

Objective: To collect and examine data pertaining to the clinical presentation and management of patients with chromoblastomycosis.

Methods: Through a retrospective study, a pathology medical record search was performed from January 2004 to December 2020 at a single institution.

Results: A total of 9 patients were identified. Seven of 9 cases occurred in solid organ transplant recipients. All cases were located on the extremities. Six of 9 cases were clinically suspected to be squamous cell carcinoma. Seven of 9 cases were treated with surgical excision. Six of 9 patients were treated with oral antifungal medication. Four of 9 patients had received combination therapy. Eight of 9 patients had no recurrence of the disease after treatment.

Conclusion: Chromoblastomycosis presents as verrucous papules or nodules and may clinically and histopathologically mimic squamous cell carcinoma. Immunosuppression is likely a risk factor for the development of chromoblastomycosis. This study highlights the importance of clinical awareness of this disease's clinical presentation and prevalence in immunosuppressed patient populations.