Primary Mucinous Carcinoma of the Skin (Colloid Carcinoma of the Skin) Report of a Case and Brief Diagnostic Algorithm
Francisco Javier Torres Gómez 1*, Pilar
Fernández Machín1, Carolina
Cantalejo Rodríguez2 and Álvaro
Cabello Santos2
1Pathology Unit, High Resolution Hospital, Agencia Sanitaria Bajo
Guadalquivir, Utrera, Sevilla, Spain
2Carolina Cantalejo Rodríguez, Dermatology Unit, High Resolution
Hospital, Agencia Sanitaria Bajo Guadalquivir, Utrera, Sevilla, Spain
*Corresponding author: Francisco Javier Torres Gómez, Pathology Unit, High Resolution
Hospital, Agencia Sanitaria Bajo Guadalquivir, Utrera, Sevilla, Spain, Tel: +34
629344869; Email: javiertorresgomez@yahoo.es
Received Date: 11 May, 2016; Accepted Date: 31 May,
2016; Published Date: 14 June, 2016
Citation: Gómez FJT, Machín PF, Rodríguez CC, Santos AC (2016) Primary Mucinous Carcinoma of the Skin (Colloid Carcinoma of the Skin) Report of a Case and Brief Diagnostic Algorithm. Gavin J Dermatol Res Ther 2016: 1-3.
Colloid Carcinoma is a rare malignancy in a cutaneous location.
Although its histological features are characteristic, it is necessary to rule
out an extracutaneous primary. We report a case of mucinous carcinoma in the
skin with an emphasis on histology and differential diagnosis.
Keywords: Carcinoma; Colloid Skin; Mucinous
1. Abbreviations
CT :
Computerized Tomography
EMA : Epithelial Membrane Antigen
HE : Hematoxilin-Eosin
PAS :
Periodic Acid Schiff
PSA : Prostatic Specific Antigen
2. Introduction
Colloid Carcinoma is a primary cutaneous extremely rare
malignancy whose diagnosis must rule out a primary origin in different
locations where their finding is more common. We present a case that reflects
all the features of this singular entity.
3. Case Report
It is a 74 years old woman patient who went to the Department of
Surgery due to the presence at right armpit level, of a progressive growth
pseudonodular mass, with focally ulcerated surface. Excisional biopsy was
performed and surgical specimen was submitted to the Pathology Unit where it
was processed according to routine protocols. The lesion showed an irregular
ulcerated surface and global gelatinous appearance (Figure 1). Histological
study allowed the observation of a focally ulcerated epidermis due to
infiltration by an invasive epithelial lesion set in the dermis (Figure 2).
Such neoplasia consisted of large lakes of mucinous material within which
nests, trabeculae and tubular formations, (some with a cribriform pattern) of
epithelioid basaloid habit with little or no atypia and low mitotic activity
(Figures 3-5) were visible. Mucinous material stained with PAS while neoplastic
epithelial nests were positive for cytokeratin 7 (Figure 6), cytokeratin 19 and
EMA (Figure 7). Neoplastic cells were negative for cytokeratin 20.
Morphological and immunohistochemical data and pattern clearly invasive allowed
the diagnosis of mucinous carcinoma (colloid carcinoma).
In a second time we had to rule out an extracutaneous primary
origin for which mammographic and ultrasonographic studies were performed. Once
a primary breast location were descarted a pancolonoscopy without findings was
also carried out; additional immunohistochemistry (neoplasm negativity for
cytokeratin 20) discarted this origin. Endoscopy of the upper digestive tract,
the study of salivary glands, PSA levels, digital rectal examination and
systemic image studies with CT were carried out with negative results.
4. Results
It seems logical to consider the tumour as a primary Mucinous
Carcinoma of the skin.
5. Discussion
The first description of primary cutaneous Mucinous Carcinoma is
attributed to Lennox et al., in 1952 [1]. This is an extremely rare cutaneous
neoplasm, more frequent in advance ages with preferential localization in head
and trunk that has a course usually indolent although it has capacity for
recurrence and metastases [2-6]. As in our case, debuts as a nodular lesion of
progressive growth depending on the extent of the mucinous component, so will
be the consistency and macroscopic appearance of the lesion. The neoplasm does
not show encapsulation but infiltrative pattern composed of lakes of mucin
within which epithelial cell nests exhibiting different architectural patterns
are distinguished. The density will vary from case to case and will result in
the classification of neoplasm in pure (the mucinous component occupies more
than 90% of the tumor) or mixed, as in our case (greater ductal epithelial
component) [5]. Cellular pleomorphism is generally limited as is also uncommon
mitotic activity. Cases have been reported where there is a component in
situ (not present in ours) that can be shown with the help of
immunohistochemistry for p63 or calponin, that will stain the surrounding
myoepithelial cells [7,8]. The presence of a component in situ at
skin level will help us when assigning a skin origin.
To make the diagnosis of primary cutaneous colloid carcinoma is
mandatory rule out primary outbreaks in other locations, circumstances in which
the immunohistochemistry may be helpful. Hormone receptor immunostaining does
not help discriminate the primary skin or breast malignancies as both can and
do show positivity for them. Surgical excision is the treatment of choice but
recurrences (about 20%) do occur generally related to different histological
patterns. The prognosis is related to the complete or incomplete resection
(most common scenario) of the tumor. Our patient had no recurrences after two
years of follow-up.
Figure 1: Mucinous Carcinoma of the skin. Macroscopic image in which the gelatinous features of the lesion can be observed.
Figure 2: Mucinous Carcinoma of the skin histology. Large mucinous lakes inside which multiple epithelial nests can be observed, HE 100x.
Figure 3: Mucinous Carcinoma of the skin histology. Apposition of mucinous lakes and epithelial groups of cells, HE 200x
Figure 4: Mucinous Carcinoma of the skin histology. We can appreciate the relationship between epithelial nests and mucinous lakes in more detail, HE 200x.
Figure 5: Mucinous Carcinoma of the skin histology. Some groups of epithelial cells show a cribriform pattern HE 400x.
Figure 6: Mucinous Carcinoma of the skin histology. Epithelial cells are positive with CK 19 (epithelial membrane antigen), CK19 100x.
Figure 7: Mucinous Carcinoma of the skin histology. Epithelial cells are positive with EMA (epithelial membrane antigen), EMA 200x.
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