Heck's disease: two family cases

Authors

  • Lucía Meinardi Professor Rodolfo Rossi Hospital, City of La Plata, Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina
  • Macarena Pardini Professor Rodolfo Rossi Hospital, City of La Plata, Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina
  • Marlene Goland Professor Rodolfo Rossi Hospital, City of La Plata, Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina
  • Betina De Andrés Professor Rodolfo Rossi Hospital, City of La Plata, Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina
  • Mónica Melamed Professor Rodolfo Rossi Hospital, City of La Plata, Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47196/6k4v5m41

Keywords:

focal epithelial hyperplasia, Heck's disease, familial, human papilloma virus

Abstract

Heck's disease is a rare and benign proliferation of the oral mucosa. Associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, mostly serotypes 13 (HPV 13) and 32 (HPV 32). It predominates in the pediatric population and in women. Familial cases could corresponded to a genetic predisposition or intrafamilial HPV infection. Clinically, it presents as multiple pinkish-whitish papules on the oral mucosa, asymptomatic. The diagnosis is clinical and histopathological, it is suggested to perform PCR for viral typing. The conduct is usually expectant given the benign and self-limiting condition.

Author Biographies

  • Lucía Meinardi, Professor Rodolfo Rossi Hospital, City of La Plata, Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Resident Physician, Department of Dermatology

  • Macarena Pardini, Professor Rodolfo Rossi Hospital, City of La Plata, Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Visiting Physician, Dermatology Department

  • Marlene Goland, Professor Rodolfo Rossi Hospital, City of La Plata, Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Staff Physician, Department of Dermatology

  • Betina De Andrés, Professor Rodolfo Rossi Hospital, City of La Plata, Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Staff Physician, Dermatology Department

  • Mónica Melamed, Professor Rodolfo Rossi Hospital, City of La Plata, Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Head of Department, Department of Dermatology

References

I. Delgado Y, Torrelo A, Colmenero I, Zambrano A. Hiperplasia epitelial focal. Actas Dermosifiliogr. 2005;96:697-699.

II. Sethi S, Ali A, Ju X, Antonsson A, et al. An update on Heck's disease-a systematic review. J Public Health (Oxf). 2022;44:269-285.

III. Bendtsen SK, Jakobsen KK, Carlander AF, Grønhøj C, et al. Focal epithelial hyperplasia. Viruses. 2021;2;13:1529.

IV. Villanueva Álvarez-Santullano CA, Hernández-Núñez A, Castaño A, Miñano-Medrano R, et al. Hiperplasia epitelial multifocal: un caso familiar. An Pediatr (Barc). 2010;73:357-360.

V. Thangaraj R, Misra S. Heck's Disease. Indian Pediatr. 2023 15;60:243.

VI. Bertolotti ML, Abbiati A, Verea MA, Pecotche DM. Hiperplasia epitelial focal o enfermedad de Heck. Arch Argent Dermatol. 2015;65:13-15.

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Published

2026-07-16

Issue

Vol. 32 No. 2 (2026): May–August

Section

Clinical Cases

License

Copyright (c) 2026 on behalf of the authors. Reproduction rights: Argentine Dermatology

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