J Mycol Infect.  2023 Jun;28(2):54-57. 10.17966/JMI.2023.28.2.54.

Candidal Granuloma on the Lip Masquerading as Squamous Cell Carcinoma

• Kim JH
• Jang YH
• Lee SJ

• KMID: 2549622
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.17966/JMI.2023.28.2.54

Abstract

Skin fungal infections are sometimes misdiagnosed as malignancies and vice versa. Herein, we present the case of a 78-year-old woman who visited our clinic because of a rapidly growing "hard-crusted nodule" on the lower lip persisting for 1 month. Keratoacanthoma or squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) was initially considered. However, the histopathological findings revealed suppurative granuloma and fungal elements without atypical cells. Candida albicans was grown in tissue culture. The lesions were treated with topical ketoconazole. After 2 years, the patient revisited because of a black-crusted nodule on the left corner of her mouth that had been persisting for 1 month. The nodule resembled SCC. Histopathological examination revealed suppurative granuloma and fungal elements. After confirming Candida glabrata in fungal culture, the lesion was diagnosed as candidal granuloma and disappeared spontaneously without any treatment. Herein, we report a case of candidal granuloma on lip mimicking recurrent malignancies.

Keyword

Candidal granuloma; Fungal infection; Malignancy; Squamous cell carcinoma