The clinical triad of familial adenomatous polyposis, multiple cutaneous epidermoid cysts, and osteomas denotes Gardner's syndrome. Unless prophylactic colectomy is performed, affected individuals will develop adenocarcinoma of the colon. Other benign and malignant tumors occur with increased frequency. Cutaneous findings are an important diagnostic clue for Gardner's syndrome, because the skin and bone abnormalities generally precede gastrointestinal lesions by up to ten years.