Xanthogranuloma (XG) is a benign cutaneous histiocytic tumor occurring mainly in young children. Onset in adulthood is rarely observed. We encountered an unusual case of an XG-like cutaneous tumor on the scalp of a 50-year-old man. The tumor recurred with multiple satellite nodules soon after surgical excision. This unusual clinical behavior has not previously been described for XG and caused a diagnostic challenge; it was unclear whether the tumor was an atypical XG or a malignant dermal tumor mimicking an XG. Our analyses favored an XG-like dermal histiocytic tumor. A longer follow-up and reports of similar cases will reveal its true nature.