Hypertrichosis Essay

2027 Words5 Pages

Integumentary System- Hypertrichosis Hypertrichosis, which is also known as Ambras Syndrome or Werewolf Syndrome, is excess growth of hair on parts of the body. Hypertrichosis can either be generalized meaning it covers the whole body or localized meaning it is only on a certain area. There are three different hair types that may be involved. They include Lanugo (long and silky), Vellus (replace Lanugo after birth except on the scalp and eyebrows), and terminal (course, thick, and pigmented). Generalized can include all three types while acquired usually involves vellus that turn into terminal. Along with being generalized or localized, Hypertrichosis is also separated into congenital or acquired classifications. Congenital means that this disorder was present at birth and may have been caused by mutations in the genes. While acquired means that it became present over time. The cause for congenital is typically genetics while the cause for acquired is influence by medical conditions such as metabolic disorders, cancer or even oral and topical drug treatments. Congenital Hypertrichosis Lanuginosa is thought to be caused by mutations on the eighth chromosome or spontaneous gene mutations. The main sign of Hypertrichosis is excess hair growth, especially in places that hair does not typically grow in. Symptoms of Hypertrichosis may be present because of underlying conditions or chemical imbalances and the side effects of some medications. When a patient is being diagnosed with Hypertrichosis, a Doctor will determine if this was congenital or acquired. Congenital has no cure but acquired are typically triggered by factors that can be reversed or lessened so the Doctor could try to find these triggers. Hypertrichosis can cause cosmet... ... middle of paper ... ...urgery, and radiation therapy. Due to the fact that acoustic neuromas grow slowly, immediate treatment may not be necessary so Doctors will monitor the tumor with periodic MRIs and suggest other treatment if the tumor enlarges. Surgery may involve all or part of the tumor. There are three main surgical approaches translabyrinthine, retrosigmoid/sub-occipital, and Middle fossa. There is also a new technique called endoscopic resection which enables surgeons to remove acoustic neuromas using a small camera inserted through a hole in the skull. There are two types of radiation therapy: the first is Single fraction stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and Multi-session fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (FRS), Selecting the right treatment depends on the size of the tumor, whether the tumor is growing. age. other medical conditions you may have and severity of symptoms.

More about Hypertrichosis Essay

Open Document