TY - JOUR AB - Acanthosis nigricans (AN), a skin disorder with high prevalence, represents a dermatological condition with esthetic implications, but otherwise mild symptoms. For any clinician, it is in fact the tip of the iceberg, leading him/her to investigate what lies beneath the surface, since AN points to a systemic problem or disease: metabolic disorder (most frequently), endocrine syndrome, medication side effects, malignancy, and genetic factors. Sometimes, it is the first observed sign of a malignancy or of diabetes mellitus, especially in patients with chronic metabolic disorder; therefore, it is not to be taken lightly. The present review summarizes the information in literature regarding the etiopathogenesis of AN. We propose a new classification that aims to better organize the different types of AN, with implications on the extent and urgency of the investigation plan, as well as various therapeutic algorithms. Therapy options are also presented, both systemic treatments that target the underlying disease, and local ones for esthetic reasons. AD - Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology and Histology, ‘Carol Davila’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania Army Centre for Medical Research, 010195 Bucharest, Romania Department of Biochemistry-Proteomics, ‘Victor Babes’ National Institute of Pathology, 050096 Bucharest, Romania AU - Popa,Maria-Linda AU - Popa,Adrian ,Claudiu AU - Tanase,Cristiana AU - Gheorghisan-Galateanu,Ancuta-Augustina DA - 2019/05/01 DO - 10.3892/ol.2018.9736 EP - 4138 IS - 5 JO - Oncol Lett KW - acanthosis nigricans insulin resistance endocrine disorders paraneoplastic syndrome hyperpigmentation differential diagnosis PY - 2019 SN - 1792-1074 1792-1082 SP - 4133 ST - Acanthosis nigricans: To be or not to be afraid (Review) T2 - Oncology Letters TI - Acanthosis nigricans: To be or not to be afraid (Review) UR - https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2018.9736 VL - 17 ER -