Carcinomes verruqueux des membres inférieurs

BACKGROUND

Verrucous carcinoma is a rare, low-grade, slow-growing, well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma affecting the skin (particularly on the foot) and mucosa. The diagnosis is often delayed. We report a study of twelve cases of verrucous carcinoma of the lower limbs.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively studied a series of 12 patients (8 women, 4 men) who developed verrucous carcinoma of the lower limbs between 1978 and 2005 and we analyzed their follow-up data.

RESULTS

The mean age of patients was 78 years (66-97 years). Eleven patients exhibited verrucous carcinoma in a previous lesion comprising varicose ulcer (5 cases), mixed ulcer (3 cases), burn (2 cases) or traumatic lesion (1 case). The mean time from onset of lesions to diagnosis was 28 years. Nine patients showed locoregional extension (8 bone involvement, 3 lymph node involvement). No visceral metastasis was detected. Three patients received medical treatment that proved ineffective. Two received secondary surgical treatment. Nine patients underwent surgery (6 amputations, 3 local excisions). Four patients were lost to follow-up, 4 died, 3 showed no recurrence and 1 had a chronic unhealed wound after surgery.

DISCUSSION

Verrucous carcinoma of the lower limbs is a disease of the elderly, affecting both men and women, and occurring mainly on chronic venous ulcerations. The clinical presentation is evocative although histopathological diagnosis is difficult, particularly in the event of superinfection. Repeated and deep biopsies are needed to avoid delay in diagnosis. Extension is chiefly locoregional and visceral involvement is rare. Medical treatment is ineffective and may even be harmful, with surgery the best option. Regular monitoring is necessary because of the risk of relapse, although verrucous carcinoma does not seem to directly affect patient survival.

[Diagnosis and treatment of penile verrucous carcinoma: a report of 4 cases]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the diagnosis and treatment of penile verrucous carcinoma.

METHODS

The clinical and pathological data of 4 patients with penile verrucous carcinoma were analyzed.

RESULTS

The patients ranged in age from 42 to 76 years (average 52). All the tumors showed exophytic papillary lesions, the biggest being 2.1 to 5.8 cm in diameter. The lesions were confined to the glans penis in two cases and invaded the shafts in the other 2 (1 accompanied by syphilis). One patient, whose tumor was small (1.4 cm in diameter) and confined to the glans penis, underwent glandectomy. One with a larger tumor confined to the glans penis and the other 2 with the shafts involved underwent partial penectomy, including the one accompanied by syphilis, who underwent the operation after treated by Benzathine benzylpenicillin. Histopathological examination of the specimens showed that the tumor cells were mostly well-differentiated and the surgical margins were tumor free in all the 4 cases. HE stain was performed in all the specimens. Microscopic examination revealed papillomatosis and hyperkeratosis of the epithelium, with bulbous projections into the lamina propria consisting of well-differentiated squamous epithelial cells. Marked invasion of the stroma by lymphocytes was noted. Follow-up ranged from 3 to 7 years (average 4.6), revealing no recurrence. The result of the rapid plasma regain (RPR) test was negative but that of the Treponema pallidum passive-particle-agglutination (TPPA) test remained positive in the blood of the patient accompanied by syphilis after treatment.

CONCLUSION

Verrucous carcinoma of the penis is characterized by low malignant potential and locally aggressive nature. It seldom develops metastasis to regional lymphonodes or distant areas. Glandectomy or partial penectomy can be chosen for its treatment, with favorable prognosis.

Acute visual loss in a head and neck cancer patient with ocular metastasis and sphenoid pyocele

We report an extremely rare case of head and neck cancer patient with right acute visual loss by ocular metastasis after excluding compressive optic neuropathy by endoscopic decompression of the sphenoid pyocele. The ocular metastasis from head and neck cancer had been reported only once in English literatures. Besides, the patient combined with sphenoid pyocele increases the difficulty in differentiating the etiologies. In this article, we describe the history of this patient and discuss the possible cause of acute visual loss and the treatment strategy. Although to differentiate the etiology of acute visual loss between metastatic malignancy and compressive optic neuropathy remain difficult, treatment strategy should focus on rescuing visual acuity. Ocular metastases should always keep in mind when acute visual loss is encountered in patients with previously treated head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Combined ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging findings on cervical verrucous carcinoma with endometrial invasion: a case report

BACKGROUND

Cervical verrucous carcinoma is a rare form of cervical cancer. Very few reports present the correlation between diagnostic images and clinicopathologic findings.

CASE

A 50-year-old woman was treated with laser ablation for cervical condyloma 6 years prior to her presentation with progressive vaginal bleeding and a foul-smelling discharge at our clinics in August 2004. Biopsy of the cervical mass was compatible with pathologic features of condyloma acuminata. Ultrasonography with color Doppler revealed a 5.9x4.1-cm, hyperechogenic mass with a honeycomb appearance in the lower uterine corpus and hypervascularization of the tumor with resistance indexes ranging from 0.41 to 0.47. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed that the tumor had a homogeneous intensity on T1-weighted images and heterogeneous intensity on T2-weighted images. After administration of contrast medium, the tumor exhibited a lower signal intensity than did the surrounding cervical stroma. A human papillomavirus test was positive for types 11 and 53. Combined with the clinicopathologic findings, verrucous carcinoma of the cervix, stage Ib2, was suspected and the patient underwent radical hysterectomy and bilateral pelvic lymph node dissection. The final pathology report proved the impression of malignancy. The patient had an uneventful postoperative course, and no disease recurred during 1 year of follow-up.

CONCLUSION

The diagnosis of cervical verrucous carcinoma requires a good clinical and pathologic correlation. Nevertheless, detailed imaging studies, such as ultrasound and MRI, as in our case, may provide valuable presurgical information for treatment.

Fatal genital verrucous carcinoma

A rare, fatal case of verrucous carcinoma on the labia majora of a 65-year-old woman is presented. Histopathologically, the neoplasm was repeatedly diagnosed as a verruca over the course of many years. A diagnosis of verrucous carcinoma was rendered only after the documentation of lymph node metastasis. Although most cases of verrucous carcinoma have a favorable prognosis, this case illustrates that verrucous carcinoma can metastasize even when the neoplasm is superficially situated and the histopathologic findings are subtle.

Sinonasal verrucous carcinoma with oral invasion

Verrucous carcinoma is a rare warty variant of squamous cell carcinoma, most often seen in the oral cavity and larynx. Its occurrence in the sinonasal tract is rare. This tumor constitutes approximately 1% of all sinonasal neoplasms. The clinical presentation and the histopathological features of verrucous carcinoma are a subject of continuous discussion amongst diagnosticians and pathologists. A case with oral and nasal presentation of this tumor is reported here.

Verrucous hyperplasia: a common and problematic finding in the high-risk diabetic foot

Although verrucous hyperplasia may be common in high-risk insensitive feet, the literature contains little discussion on this topic. Treatment of verrucous hyperplasia is aimed primarily at reducing the causative forces. In cases that result from edema, external compression has proved to be adequate. If verrucous hyperplasia on the foot results from frictional forces, then shoe modifications with proper fit, accommodative liners, or fillers in the case of amputation are necessary. In recalcitrant cases, excision of the affected tissue with local soft-tissue or graft coverage has been successful. We describe a 56-year-old man with verrucous hyperplasia.

Association of verrucous carcinoma and inverted papilloma in the sinonasal tract

It is well known that inverted papilloma (IP) is sometimes associated with malignancies; however, the association of IP with verrucous carcinoma (VC) is extremely rare. We herein report a case of IP in the nasal cavity with VC in the maxillary sinus. A 73-year-old Japanese woman presented with a 3-month history of right-sided nasal obstruction and repetitive epistaxis. A biopsy of the mass was performed and the pathological result proved to be IP. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a moderately enhanced soft-tissue lesion filling the right nasal cavity and a ring-enhanced expansive lesion in the maxillary sinus. Under a tentative diagnosis of IP of the nasal cavity with maxillary empyema, she underwent right medial maxillectomy via a lateral rhinotomy approach, and a histopathological diagnosis of IP in the nasal cavity with VC in the maxillary sinus was obtained. Her postoperative clinical course was uneventful. She is currently free from symptoms, and there is no evidence of recurrence 5 months after surgery. The pathology, clinical manifestation, and treatment of VC associated with IP are reviewed from literature.

Verrucous carcinoma of the temporal bone and maxillary antrum: two unusual presentations of a rare tumor

BACKGROUND

Verrucous carcinoma (VC) is a low-grade variant of squamous cell carcinoma. The involvement of the temporal bone and maxillary antrum is very rare.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The clinicopathologic features of 2 such tumors are reported, and the pertinent literature is reviewed.

RESULTS

In the 2 patients, the diagnostic procedure was complicated due to initial inconclusive histology. Both were treated with concomitant radiochemotherapy. They were free of disease for 5.8 and 11 years after diagnosis. An additional 15 cases of VC of the temporal bone and 10 cases of maxillary antrum tumors have been reported in the literature. In 10 patients, multiple biopsies were required, and in 7 patients, a definitive histological diagnosis was not obtained before surgery. The disease reappeared in 8 out of 15 patients treated solely with surgery. Only 2 of them were salvaged by reoperation. Radiochemotherapy only (without any surgery) was successfully used in 4 patients.

CONCLUSIONS

VC of the temporal bone or maxillary antrum is an extremely rare tumor. For reliable histological diagnosis, multiple biopsies of deep and ample tissue samples are mandatory. Surgery is a mainstay of therapy; however, radiochemotherapy also represents a viable treatment option with curative potential.

Carcinome cuniculatum : un diagnostic difficile, à évoquer devant une ostéite chronique d'évolution défavorable sous traitement

INTRODUCTION

The clinical and histological features of cuniculatum carcinoma (CC) are often misleading.

CASE REPORT

We report a case of CC of the foot, which was misdiagnosed as osteomyelitis for a two year period and which relapsed 2 months after complete resection.

DISCUSSION

The CC has to be evoked in patients with chronic osteomyelitis and torpid wound. The anatomopathologist needs to be aware of the suspected diagnosis.

[Epithelioma cuniculatum plantare in the region of a skin scar due to mechanical trauma. Insurance law aspects of scar carcinomas]

We herein report a case of a highly differentiated verrucous squamous cell carcinoma of the sole of the left forefoot ("epithelioma" or "carcinoma cuniculatum plantare") that had--as a specific feature--developed within a preexisting long-standing skin scar due to an earlier occupational crush injury. Because of expansive tumor growth extending to the metatarsal bones and penetrating the tissue between the tendons, an ultrashort amputation of the hindfoot was performed according to the method of Chopart. The pathogenetic mechanisms possibly underlying the formation of scar carcinomas are discussed. For judgement of legal liability insurance questions, the criteria indicating a causal relationship between traumatic scars and cancer development are presented.

Recalcitrant verrucous lesion: verrucous hyperplasia or epithelioma cuniculatum (verrucous carcinoma)

A 37-year-old woman originally presented in May 2003 with a nonhealing, painless ulcer on the plantar surface of her right foot that had been slowly increasing in size for the previous 1.5 years. Two weeks before presentation, a biopsy of the lesion, performed at another institution, had indicated a probable verrucous carcinoma. After preoperative workup, the patient underwent resection of the lesion, with clear margins and full-thickness skin grafting. The final pathologic findings were not consistent with verrucous carcinoma. A recurrent lesion was noted during a follow-up visit, and a second biopsy revealed a hyperkeratotic papillomatous verrucous lesion, type unclassified. No viral particles were isolated in the random biopsy samples. This recurrent lesion was refractory to treatment with topical acyclovir. Subsequent treatments consisted of imiquimod and CO(2) laser ablation, which succeeded in reducing the lesion. Verrucous lesions can be frustrating, and the diagnosis of epithelioma cuniculatum can be difficult to prove. We report a case highly suggestive of but not definitively diagnosed as epithelioma cuniculatum and summarize the literature on this entity.

Verrucous Carcinoma of the Scalp Associated with Human Papillomavirus Type 33

BACKGROUND

Verrucous carcinoma (VC) is a low-grade, well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma of the skin or mucosae, and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection has been considered to be one of the causative factors of VC at three main sites, including the oral cavity, the genitoanal region, and the foot. However, the relationship between cutaneous VC at other sites and HPV infection remains obscure.

OBJECTIVE

We describe a rare case of cutaneous VC originating in a burn scar on the scalp and our attempt to find HPV infection in the lesion.

METHODS

We investigated the presence of HPV by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphisms and immunohistochemical analysis.

RESULTS

HPV type 33 was detected in the lesion, and positive stains for HPV were observed in several cell nuclei at the upper stratum malpighi.

CONCLUSION

Since HPV type 33, as well as HPV types 16 and 18, is regarded as a high-risk, mucosal type, HPV type 33 infection likely contributed to the development of the lesion. We suggest that HPV infection should be relevant to a subset of cutaneous VC.

[Verrucous carcinoma versus papillary squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx 9 cases report]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the clinical, pathological character and differential diagnosis between verrucous carcinoma (VC) and papillary squamous cell carcinoma (PSCC) of the larynx.

METHOD

Four cases of VC and five cases of PSCC of larynx in our hospital between 1991 approximately 2003 were studied retrospectively, the clinical and pathology character of VC and PSCC were observed.

RESULT

Highly differentiated squamous cell and epithelial pearls or keratinized matter can be seen in the four cases of VC. Invasion of the basement membrane is often nonetheless, moderate to serve inflammatory reaction usually exist in the stroma adjacent to the advancing margin, no cervical lymph node metastases, no local recurrence and the prognosis is excellent. Exophytic malignant proliferation of the squamous cell with fibrovascular core can be seen in all the cases of PSCC, cell pathology is similar to the conventional SCC but no cervical metastases were observed and the prognosis is better than the conventional SCC.

CONCLUSION

The external appearance of VC and PSCC is similar, but there are discrepancy in the cellular differentiation and the atypia of the tumor cells, stroma inflammatory reaction, recurrence, regional metastases, treatment, prognosis. Accurate differential diagnosis requires close cooperation between the laryngologist and the histopathologist.

Diagnostic utility of cell cycle and apoptosis regulatory proteins in verrucous squamous carcinoma

A major problem in the diagnosis of verrucous squamous cell carcinoma is the lack of readily reproducible objective criteria for distinguishing this malignant lesion from reactive epithelial hyperplasia. Both lesions are characterized by thickened (well-differentiated) squamous epithelium without cellular atypia and subjacent stroma densely infiltrated by lymphocytes and plasma cells. This study was carried out to evaluate the use of cell cycle and apoptosis-related regulatory proteins in the diagnosis of verrucous carcinoma. The study materials consisted of representative formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissue blocks from 19 cases of verrucous carcinoma, 18 classic squamous cell carcinoma, and 14 squamous epithelial hyperplasia (acanthosis). The immunohistochemical expression of the following of cell cycle and apoptosis-related regulatory proteins was evaluated using avidin-biotin complex detection technique: p16, p21, p53, Ki67, and retinoblastoma gene product (RBGP) (also known as retinoblastoma protein [pRb]). Expression of Ki67 was detected only in the single basal layer of the epithelium in all 14 cases of acanthosis. In verrucous carcinoma, Ki67 was detected in basal and suprabasal cells in the lower third of the neoplastic epithelium in 19 of 19 cases (100%). In neoplastic squamous epithelium with frankly invasive squamous cell carcinoma, Ki67 was diffusely expressed throughout the entire thickness of the epithelium as well as in the underlying invasive tumor nests. The pattern of p53 expression was similar to that of Ki67 in all the experimental groups, with a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.98. In addition, immunohistochemical expression of p53 in the hyperplastic squamous epithelium was very weak, in contrast to the more intense immunoreactivity observed in verrucous carcinoma and classic squamous cell carcinoma. There was an overlapping in the expression of p16, p21, and RGBP in all the experimental groups, being present in more than half the thickness of the epithelium in 50% to 100% cases in each study group. We therefore conclude that the pattern of Ki67 and p53 expression in verrucous carcinoma is readily reproducible and distinctly different from that observed in epithelial hyperplasia and that seen in invasive squamous cell carcinoma. Thus Ki67, and p53 immunostains are reliable adjuncts that may be helpful in resolving diagnostic problems associated with verrucous carcinoma.

[Therapeutic solutions in post-excision defects for plantar verrucous carcinoma]

Carcinoma verrucous--anatomoclinical entity histological high rate of differentiation of the spinocellular epithelioma, clinically associated with 3 types of lesion. We present the therapeutical solution of a plantar carcinoma verrucous case, a large post-excisional defect-free flap transfer of latissimus dorsi muscle using microsurgical techniques.

Carcinoma cuniculatum of the esophagus

AIMS

Extremely well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma with the features of so-called carcinoma cuniculatum (CC) is a rare neoplasm. We describe the clinicopathologic findings of the first 2 cases of CC of the esophagus.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Two elderly men presented with symptoms and clinical signs of esophageal malignancy. Repeated endoscopic biopsies of their esophageal tumors were inconclusive. Resection revealed CC of the esophagogastric junction in both cases. The tumors extended into the adventitia but no lymph node metastases were present. In situ hybridization for human papillomavirus HPV subtypes was negative.

CONCLUSION

Carcinoma cuniculatum is reported for the first time in the esophagus. The diagnosis of this tumor variant is difficult by means of cytological examination or by endoscopic biopsies alone. Carcinoma cuniculatum in this location shows biologic features similar to verrucous carcinoma (deep penetration, no lymph nodes metastases, and location at one end of the esophagus). No evidence of human papillomavirus could be demonstrated.

[Penile verrucous carcinoma]

Penile verrucous carcinoma is a rare tumor. Verrucous carcinoma is thought by most to represent a well-differentiated or low-grade squamous-cell carcinoma. The term Buschke-Lowenstein tumor and giant condyloma have also been used to identify this histological lesion. A review of literature points to the role of human papillomavirus infection. The authors report a case of a penile verrucous carcinoma in a circumcised man.

[Verrucous carcinoma of the esophagus. A case report]

Verrucous carcinoma (VC) of the esophagus is a rare variant of squamous cell carcinoma and only 20 cases have so far been reported in the international literature. The neoplasm is usually highly differentiated, presents a slow growth pattern with invasion of surrounding organs rather than blood-borne metastases. Recently, a causative role of human papillomavirus (HPV) has been hypothesized. The case of a patient affected with locally advanced VC of the esophagus and treated by means of local antiviral therapy is reported. A 41-year-old male patient was admitted to our institution for persistent atypical thoracic pain. The imaging techniques (thoracic and abdominal CT scans; upper GI endoscopy; hydrosoluble contrast swallow; endoscopic US) revealed a cauliflower-like protruding esophageal mass, active mucosal mycosis, multiple ulcerations of the distal esophagus, as well as 2 broncho-esophageal fistulas. The neoplasm extended beyond the esophageal wall, infiltrating surrounding cervical and mediastinal organs and the patient presented with secondary esophageal achalasia and right bilobar pneumonia. The histologic specimen was consistent with VC of the esophagus and the presence of HPV infection was detected by means of qualitative PCR assay. The patient was deemed not fit for surgery and a local antiviral treatment with hydroxy-phosphonyl-methoxypropyl-cytosine 5 mg/kg a week was started. After initial response to treatment, the patient presented with sudden progression leading to further broncho-esophageal fistula treated with endoscopic stent placement and ultimate death 6 months after referral to our center. In keeping with international data, our case confirms that esophageal VC has a highly unfavorable outcome, despite its high degree of differentiation and slow growth pattern. The long natural history, the lack of specific symptoms and the presence of coexisting esophageal diseases delay the diagnosis and account for the local advancement of this malignancy. Surgery is the option of choice for early stage lesions and advanced VC does not seem to benefit from current chemotherapeutic regimens. The causative role of HPV and the advancements of molecular pharmacology might allow for effective treatment in high-risk patients.

Verrucous carcinoma of the cervix--diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties with regards to HPV status. Case report

Verrucous carcinoma of the cervix is of special interest because of its rare occurrence and frequently existing difficulties in the differential diagnosis, which in verrucous disease eventually leads to a final, more favorable diagnosis. We present a case report of cervical verrucous carcinoma as a rare variant of squamous cell carcinoma in a 65-year-old woman who underwent total hysterectomy based on initial histological diagnosis of cervical dysplasia. Special attention is focused on clinical assessment of the lesion with the depicted restriction of exfoliated cytology as well as misdiagnoses of inappropriately taken, even colposcopically directed biopsy, not covering a full thickness of biopsied tissue. The macro- and micromorphologic similarities of cervical verrucous carcinoma with condylomata acuminata on one hand and invasive squamous cell carcinoma on the other, inclined us to search for a common factor causing human papillomavirus infection.