De Sanctis-Cacchione Syndrome in a female infant - Case report

Abstract

The De Sanctis-Cacchione Syndrome is the rarest and most severe kind of xeroderma pigmentosum, characterized by microcephaly, hypogonadism, neurological disorders, mental and growth retardation, with very few cases published. The clinical findings compatible with De Sanctis-Cacchione Syndrome and the therapeutic approach used to treat a one year and nine months old child, with previous diagnosis of xeroderma pigmentosum, are reported.

INTRODUCTION

The De Sanctis-Cacchione Syndrome is the most rare and severe kind of xeroderma pigmentosum (XP). It occurs when XP type A, develops with microcephaly, hypogonadism, multiple neurological alterations and mental and growth retardation. On the other hand, xeroderma pigmentosum is an autosomal recessive disorder associated with failure of the DNA damage excision and repair mechanism, leading to cell hypersensitivity to ultraviolet radiation (UVR).^1-4

As a result of sunlight exposure, hyperkeratotic lesions, ephelides, telangiectasias and solar lentigines appear on the skin. Benign tumors, pre-neoplastic and neoplastic lesions are frequent at an early age. The most frequently found malignant histological types are basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).^1,3,4

Neurological alterations derive from fibroblast deterioration caused by UVR. Ataxia, hyporeflexia or areflexia may be observed, as well as alterations in motor coordination, microcephaly, mental retardation and sensorineural deafness. Various ophthalmologic alterations are also described.^2,4

The treatment is primarily based on the education of the patients and their families regarding sun exposure , in addition to wearing photoprotective clothing, glasses and lotions. For the treatment of already established lesions, chemotherapeutic agents (5-fluorouracil), immunomodulators (imiquimod) and retinoids (acitretin) may be employed, depending on the location, severity and extension of the lesion. More interventionist possibilities are radiotherapy, dermabrasion, cryotherapy and surgical excision. The prognosis of the disease is poor.^5,6,7

CASE REPORT

A child with a year and nine months, female, born in and from Água Branca - Alagoas, of mixed race, was admitted to the pediatric emergency of a tertiary hospital with complaint of skin tumors that appeared when she was six months of age.

The physical examination revealed important weight and height impairment, microcephaly, assessed with charts proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Brazilian Pediatric Society (SBP), with values below the 3^rd percentile in every parameter. At the neurological examination, the absence of several neuropsychomotor developmental markers expected at her age were noted: she could not find the right words to use, presented difficulty to walk alone, interacted little with recreational objects and did not cooperate to get dressed.

Erythema and purulent secretion were observed in the conjunctivas and skin, which presented hypochromic and achromic spots interspersed with hyperchromic spots, mainly on the face and limbs, in addition to hair rarefaction (Figure 1).

FIGURE 1.

General aspect of the infant's face. Tumoral syndrome on left malar region and hair rarefaction

A map of skin lesions was drawn. The outstanding locations, by suspected malignancy aspect, were:

left malar region: three keratotic lesions, of tumoral aspect and well-defined limits, crusty surface and total area measuring 4.8 x 1.8 x 0.7 cm (Figure 1).

right malar region: tumor lesion with elevated borders and central ulceration, measuring 3.3 x 2.8 x 0.7cm (Figure 2).

FIGURE 2:

Lesions in right malar region and supralabial region

supralabial region: nodular-tumoral smooth surfaced lesion measuring 1.0 x 0.9 x 0.6 cm (Figure 2).

cervical and thoracic dorsal region: lesions disposed as elevated, keratotic lesions, three of them larger and two presenting central ulcerations (Figure 3).

FIGURE 3.

Lesions in cervical and posterior thoracic regions, characterized by elevated keratotic plaques and central ulceration

right forearm: keratotic tumoral lesion with a crusty surface and well-defined limits (Figure 4).

FIGURE 4.

Right upper limb demonstrating the general aspect of the skin of the patient, with evidence hypochromic/ achromic, hyperchromic and lentiginous lesions, as well as tumoral lesion of keratotic surface

She underwent excision and histopathological examination of the tumoral lesions and a skin graft was performed on the two larger facial lesions. Daily local dressings with antibiotics (neomycin) were applied. There was graft loss during the postoperative period. After 15 days new grafting was performed on the raw areas, evolving with partial loss of both grafts.

The revaluation in the second month of the postoperative period revealed new facial tumor growth on the scar tissue of the left malar region and increased number of cervical lesions. As there was scarcity of donor areas for skin grafts, the removal of all lesions was not achieved, the poor prognosis and the unsatisfactory therapeutic result, the child was referred to the radiotherapy service for treatment of the remaining skin lesions.

The histopathological results for the excised lesions were invasive SCC and invasive SCC with sarcomatoid area for the right and left malar regions, respectively. For the upper lip tumor the result was atypical fibroxanthoma (AF).

Despite the symptoms, a head MRI scan did not reveal alterations.

The images were acquired and published with the authorization of the child's mother, by means of an informed consent form.

DISCUSSION

Xeroderma Pigmentosum carriers present a great spectrum of clinical manifestations, which vary within the eight existing XP groups (XPA-XPG and a type known as variant - XPV). In 1932, De Sanctis and Cacchione reported a syndrome with classical XP alterations type A, in addition to neurological and somatic findings.

On the De Sanctis-Cacchione Syndrome the peculiarity is the early onset and severity of lesions, which begin around the age of six months, in contrast with other XP forms, where age at onset averages 2 years. This is justified by alteration in DNA repair capacity after sun exposure, which depending on XP type is reduced by up to 7.5%, compared to 100% in the control group. When she was admitted, the patient already presented well marked tumor lesions.^1,2,4,6,8

Hypogonadism investigation was compromised by hormonal and physiological immaturity typical of the age. As in other reports, there was severe weight and height impairment and microcephaly. No mention of these alterations was made in the referral letter and data recorded in the child's pediatric follow-up card. Such evaluation might have allowed an even earlier diagnosis.^1,3,4,9

A more accurate neurological examination was hindered by lack of cooperation from the child. Although the first MRI was unaltered, other studies should be carried out in the future, since damage is progressive.^2,4,8

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most frequent tumor. A SCC finding discloses a more aggressive clinical picture. AF, which is rare in healthy children, is reported in XP patients.^1,3,4,10

Genetic counseling is essential for the limitations to treatment and prognosis. Meetings were held with family members for clarification about the disease and treatment, in accessible, colloquial language, taking into consideration that the mother of the patient was illiterate. A summary of the clinical history and treatments to which the child was submitted was given to the child's mother.¹