Primary cutaneous cribriform apocrine carcinoma: A clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical study of 26 cases of an under-recognized cutaneous adnexal neoplasm

• Published in: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology Vol. 61; no. 4; pp. 644 - 651
• Main Authors: Rütten, Arno, MD, Kutzner, Heinz, MD, Mentzel, Thomas, MD, Hantschke, Markus, MD, Eckert, Fritof, MD, Angulo, Jorge, MD, Rodríguez Peralto, Jose Luis, MD, Requena, Luis, MD
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Mosby, Inc 01-10-2009; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adenocarcinoma - metabolism; Adenocarcinoma - pathology; Adult; Aged; Apocrine Glands - pathology; Biological and medical sciences; Biomarkers, Tumor - metabolism; Biopsy; Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic - metabolism; Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic - pathology; Cytoplasm - pathology; Cytoplasm - ultrastructure; Dermatology; Diagnosis, Differential; Epithelial Cells - pathology; Epithelial Cells - ultrastructure; Female; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Male; Medical sciences; Microscopy, Electron; Microvilli - pathology; Microvilli - ultrastructure; Middle Aged; Neoplasms, Adnexal and Skin Appendage - metabolism; Neoplasms, Adnexal and Skin Appendage - pathology; Young Adult; Immunohistochemistry; Anatomic pathology; Carcinoma; Dermatology; Skin; Malignant tumor; Cancer
• ISSN: 0190-9622; 1097-6787
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jaad.2009.03.032

Background Cribriform carcinoma is the histopathologic variant of cutaneous apocrine carcinoma characterized by interconnected solid aggregations of neoplastic cells that are punctuated by small round spaces. Objective To describe the histopathologic and immunohistochemical characteristics of this under-recognized cutaneous adnexal neoplasm. Methods Twenty-six cases of primary cutaneous cribriform apocrine carcinoma were clinically, histopathologically, and immunohistochemically studied. Results Seven neoplasms arose in males and 19 in females. The median age of the patients was 47.8 years. The lower and upper limbs were the most frequent sites. Histopathologically, the neoplasms consisted of well-circumscribed dermal nodules composed of multiple, interconnected, solid aggregations of basophilic epithelial cells that were punctuated by small round spaces. Immunohistochemically, the neoplastic cells expressed immunoreactivity for MNF116, AE1/AE3, Cam 5.2, cytokeratin 7, carcinoembryonic antigen, and epithelial membrane antigen. Limitations All specimens came from dermatopathology laboratories, and some inherent selection bias may exist. Conclusions Primary cutaneous cribriform apocrine carcinoma is a distinctive but little-known variant of cutaneous apocrine carcinoma.