Microcystic adnexal carcinoma and keratoacanthoma have a marked predilection for the skin of the head and neck. The adnexal carcinoma continues to be underrecognized, and the consequences for the patient are locally aggressive recurrences. The keratoacanthoma, on the other hand, may be inappropriately overdiagnosed, causing squamous cell carcinoma of the skin to be missed. In the instance of the solitary keratoacanthoma a conservative complete excision is recommended.