What is a notable feature of Cowden's disease?

Cowden's disease, also known as PTEN hamartoma tumor syndrome, is characterized by a variety of mucocutaneous lesions, which are one of its hallmark features. These lesions can manifest as multiple fibromas, trichilemmomas (tumors of hair follicles), and related skin findings, including lipomas and mucosal lesions. The presence of these lesions is significant because they help in the clinical diagnosis of the condition and indicate the underlying genetic predisposition due to mutations in the PTEN gene.

While other features associated with Cowden's disease, such as colonic polyps or a risk of certain cancers, are notable, the mucocutaneous lesions are often the most visually distinctive and help in making a clinical diagnosis. These skin manifestations generally appear during adolescence or early adulthood and can serve as an important part of the diagnostic criteria for Cowden’s disease.