[Broca (OP)]

My daughter has recently been told she has acanthosis-nigricans. I have read about it and it is a rather scary issue. I was wondering if any one have heard about it and if you can give me any information on this at all. Thank you.

[RD]

This DermNet(NZ) site is an excellent source of information on skin conditions ...

What is acanthosis nigricans?

Acanthosis nigricans (AN) is a skin disorder characterised by darkening (hyperpigmentation) and thickening (hyperkeratosis) of the skin, occurring mainly in the folds of the skin in the armpit (axilla), groin and back of the neck.

Acanthosis nigricans is not a skin disease per se but a cutaneous sign of an underlying condition or disease.

There are two important types of acanthosis: benign and malignant. Although classically described as a sign of internal malignancy, this is very rare. Benign types, sometimes described as ‘pseudoacanthosis nigricans’ are much more common.

http://dermnetnz.org/systemic/acanthosis-nigricans.html

[Broca (OP)]

That was great info, thank you. In my daughter her worst area is behind her neck..very thick and dark. She is white(only 1% are) and not overly heavy. it has taken a long time to find out what was wrong. I actually researched and lead the Dr. to it.

[RD]

Another good source of medical information is medscape ...

Frequency
United States

The exact incidence of AN is unknown. In an unselected population of 1412 children, the changes of AN were present in 7.1%. Obesity is closely associated with AN, and more than one half of the adults who weigh greater than 200% of their ideal body weight have lesions consistent with AN. The malignant form of AN is far less common, and, in one study, only 2 of 12,000 patients with cancer had signs of AN.

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1102488-overview

[Broca (OP)]

She is 6 feet tall and weighs 197. according to the weight charts she is 20 pounds over weight minimum...that is not obese.

[RD]

Six foot tall female, that's unusual:
 there are hormonal disorders which would produce both AN and extreme height ...

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http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1102488-media

[Broca (OP)]

We are a tall family...im 5 11, her sis is also 6 feet and her dad is 6 3

[RD]

The syndromes I have highlighted above can be genetic, (inherited)

Here is a photo of a woman with acromegaly...

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http://vis-www.cs.umass.edu/papers/miccai_acro.pdf

Quite subtle signs: not all sufferers necessarily look like Richard "Jaws" Kiel.