What makes them stand out is pain. Many patients say the pain is
• sharp
• burning
• aching
and it often gets worse with cold weather, pressure, or touch.
Why the Linear or Blaschkoid Pattern Matters
When these painful bumps appear in a line, stripe, or segment on one side of the body, doctors call it segmental cutaneous leiomyomatosis.
This pattern follows something called the Lines of Blaschko, which are invisible lines on the skin formed during early development before birth.
This happens because of genetic mosaicism, meaning only some skin cells carry the change.
This pattern is a big diagnostic clue.
A Very Important Health Association
When someone has multiple cutaneous leiomyomas, doctors become alert for a genetic condition called
Hereditary Leiomyomatosis and Renal Cell Cancer (HLRCC)
This condition is linked to
• a mutation in the FH gene
• uterine fibroids (especially in young women)
• a higher risk of aggressive kidney cancer
Because of this, early diagnosis can be life-saving and helps with long-term health monitoring, insurance planning, and preventive care.
Conditions Doctors Also Consider (But Are Less Likely)
Doctors may think about other causes, but these usually don’t fit as well:
• Eccrine spiradenoma – painful, but not usually linear
• Lichen striatus – linear, but not painful
• ILVEN – itchy rather than painful
• Segmental neurofibromatosis – soft and usually painless
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