Final answer:
A trichoepithelioma is a benign skin tumor originating from hair follicles, usually diagnosed by biopsy to distinguish it from malignancies such as basal cell carcinoma.
Step-by-step explanation:
A trichoepithelioma is a benign skin tumor that originates from the hair follicles. It is a rare condition characterized by small, multiple nodules on the skin, which are often flesh-colored. These tumors are typically found on the face, scalp, or neck, and generally do not lead to cancer.
Histologically, trichoepitheliomas are made up of basaloid cells and can present similar features to basal cell carcinoma.
However, trichoepitheliomas lack the aggressive growth and potential to spread that basal cell carcinomas have. Diagnosing skin lesions such as trichoepithelioma usually involves a biopsy, where a sample of the lesion is examined microscopically to determine the nature of the cells and to rule out malignancy.