A clear cell acanthoma presents as a solitary, red or red-brown, dome-shaped papule or nodule.  A peripheral, wafer-like scale collarette is classically described in a majority of lesions, but may not always be present.  The surface may also have a crusted or moist appearance and may bleed with minor trauma.  These tumors slowly enlarge over several years and range in size from a few millimeters to 2 centimeters.[3]  Some further describe clear cell acanthomas as having a stuck-on appearance.  Clear cell acanthomas most commonly occur on the lower extremities.  Other less common sites of involvement include the trunk, forearm, face, inguinal area, nipple, scalp, and vermilion mucosa of the lip.[10]  There are several clinical variants including a giant, polypoid or pedunculated, pigmented, eruptive, atypical, and cystic.[2]

Dermoscopy can be utilized to aid in diagnosing a clear cell acanthoma. Dermoscopy reveals a highly characteristic pattern which can assist in the diagnosis. Glomerular or pinpoint blood vessels present in a curvilinear and reticular pattern with a “pearl necklace” appearance.  This “pearl necklace” pattern differs from other lesions that also contain glomerular or pinpoint vessels making it distinct compared to clear cell acanthoma.[11][12]  Ultimately a skin biopsy is usually performed to confirm the diagnosis.

The preferred management of clear cell acanthomas is complete removal, which can be done by a variety of different methods.  The location, size, and the number of lesions should be considerations when deciding on a treatment method.  Shave removal or curettage followed by electrofulguration is a common approach.  Other treatment options include cryotherapy, electrofulguration alone, standard surgical excision, and carbon dioxide laser.[2]  In cases where treatment involves multiple lesions, cryotherapy, or carbon dioxide laser may be the preferred method.[13][14][15] 

The primary differential diagnoses for clear cell acanthoma include pyogenic granuloma, benign lichenoid keratosis, inflamed seborrheic keratosis, eccrine poroma, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, amelanotic melanoma, and psoriasis.[2]  Among these non-pigmented lesions, clear cell acanthoma has a unique vascular pattern under dermoscopy, as discussed previously, that can distinguish it from those mentioned above.

Clear cell acanthomas are considered to be benign lesions.  The lesions slowly enlarge over several years and do persist.  There has been only one case report, by Garcia-Gavin et al., where spontaneous regression of lesions occurred.  This scenario took place in a patient with multiple eruptive lesions, several of which spontaneously regressed leaving behind residual post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.[16]  While a few case reports exist of “atypical” clear cell acanthomas, as previously mentioned, none of these metastasized or recurred.  Removal of a clear cell acanthoma via various methods is curative.

Complications of complete removal include scarring, hypopigmentation, hyperpigmentation, and infection, depending on the technique used for removal.  Patients should receive education regarding the possibility of scarring as a side effect of any technique with the extirpation of tissue.  Cryotherapy can lead to hypopigmentation, more prominent in darker skinned individuals, through the destruction of local melanocytes.

In cases where the diagnosis is certain, the practitioner should counsel the patient that this is a benign lesion; however, it will not resolve spontaneously.  They should understand the various methods that are options for removal and that scarring is a likely outcome with any method.  In cases where the diagnosis is uncertain, a biopsy of the lesion is the recommendation, which can also result in scarring.

Patients with clear cell acanthomas may present to their primary care physician, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, urgent care clinic, or directly to a dermatologist.  When the diagnosis is uncertain, and a biopsy performed, the provider should communicate with the pathologist to ensure evaluation of the lesion for the presence of atypia or malignancy.  Various providers can treat these lesions within their level of comfort.  Referral to the appropriate specialist is necessary if treatment is outside the comfort or experience of the provider. All caregivers involved should be aware of the diagnostic and treatment options, and an interprofessional team approach including various medical specialties (pathologist, surgeon, oncologist, etc.), and nursing to facilitate care, should be employed for optimal patient outcomes.

Even though not malignant, clear cell acanthoma requires an interprofessional team approach, including physicians, specialists, specialty-trained nurses, and when needed, pharmacists, all collaborating across disciplines to achieve optimal patient results. [Level V]