30.12.2025 00:00
Tricoblastoma, a type of tumor that is extremely rare worldwide and seen on the scalp, has been successfully treated at Sakarya Training and Research Hospital. The disease, recorded as only the third case in the world, was found in a 93-year-old man, who is now able to continue his daily life without any issues following the treatment.
93-year-old Ali Ilgeç applied to Sakarya Training and Research Hospital for a wound that formed as a pimple on his head and grew in the following months.
RARE TUMOR ON THE SCALP TREATED IN SAKARYA As a result of the examinations conducted in the Pathology Department for Ilgeç, it was determined that the mass on the scalp was a very rare trichoblastic sarcoma. After a meticulous treatment process carried out by expert physicians in the field, it was reported that patient Ali Ilgeç's general health condition was good and that he was able to continue his daily life without any issues. The successful treatment of this rare disease, which has a limited number of examples in the world medical literature, drew attention both in the medical world and the health community.
Stating that the operation was successful, the Administrative Responsible of the Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery Clinic, Op. Dr. Muaz Zuhurlu emphasized that early diagnosis and a multidisciplinary approach played a significant role in the treatment and mentioned that the case would also be included in the medical literature.
"IT HAS ONLY BEEN ENCOUNTERED IN TWO CASES IN THE WORLD, OUR CASE WILL BE REPORTED AS THE THIRD" Op. Dr. Muaz Zuhurlu, the Administrative Responsible of the Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery Clinic, said, "This case reminds us that early diagnosis saves lives. Therefore, our request to citizens is to see a doctor, especially in such cases. If there are wounds that do not heal, moles that have been present for a long time and have recently started to grow, or skin lesions that bleed or crust, they should definitely consult a dermatologist. Our dermatologist will conduct the necessary examinations and evaluations. For every lesion that is deemed risky, they will consult us regarding surgical intervention. We perform surgical interventions in cases we deem appropriate and discharge our patients. The medical name of the mass we removed from our patient is trichoblastic sarcoma, and this is a pathological diagnosis. It has only been encountered in two cases in the world. This tumor was a malignant tumor that transformed from a benign mass. These tumors are extremely rare, and two cases have been reported; our case will be reported as the third case. In the procedures performed on our patient, we not only remove the malignant tumor but also remove it along with what we call a safe surgical margin to ensure that no malignant tumor remains. In this context, our surgery has been quite successful, and the wound healing is continuing without any issues. The next step will be under the follow-up of Medical Oncology. Our patient will come for check-ups at regular intervals to determine whether there is any systemic spread and what the risk is, consulting dermatology, medical oncology, and us," he said.
"WE SAW A TUMOR BEYOND WHAT WE ARE USED TO" Prof. Dr. Fahri Yılmaz, the Administrative Responsible of the Medical Pathology Clinic, stated, "In plastic surgery, the surgical margins were nicely cleaned, and the mass was sent to us. When we examined the materials, we saw a tumor beyond what we are used to. We also observed a tumor originating from benign scalp tissue at one edge of this tumor. Later, when we deepened our research and looked into the literature, we found two published cases of trichoblastic sarcoma. Based on our research, we diagnosed it as trichoblastic sarcoma because it did not conform to known tumors. This is also the third case. We plan to contribute this to the literature together with our colleagues in plastic surgery," he said.
"IT REACHED WALNUT SIZE IN ONE AND A HALF MONTHS" 93-year-old patient Ali Ilgeç, who will be recorded as the third case in the world, said, "It started as a pimple on my head and grew to the size of a walnut. The same thing happened when I was in my 40s, and when I went to the doctor, they burned it off. It had disappeared at that time, but it reappeared years later. After applying, my doctor took care of me, and they removed the mass from my head. God bless, I have no complaints right now," while the patient's son, Osman Ilgeç, stated, "According to what my father said, the first symptom was a spot, and he had it removed with a laser and healed. There was no problem until July of this year. It reappeared as a pimple. We monitored the situation, and the pimple started to grow, and the itching increased. It reached walnut size in about one and a half months and turned black. As a result of our doctors' work, a decision was made for surgery. The operation took place in October, and follow-up is currently ongoing," he said.