Eccrine porocarcinoma (malignant eccrine poroma): a clinicopathologic study of 69 cases

Subcutaneous porocarcinoma clinically presenting as a soft tissue tumor

Porocarcinoma is a rare malignancy with glandular adnexal differentiation. A 38-year-old Japanese man noticed a subcutaneous mass in right inguinal region about 20 years prior to being examined. Radiological examinations demonstrated the mass, 11 × 10 cm in size, was in the subcutaneous fat tissue. Recently, the mass grew rapidly, and it was biopsied by an orthopedist based on clinical diagnosis of primary soft tissue tumor. Histopathological examination of the resected specimens also revealed that the tumor lacked involvement to the skin. Microscopically, the tumor was mainly composed of poroid cells with partially obvious squamous differentiation, accompanied by focal ductal structures immunoreactive for CEA and EMA. The tumor contained a low-grade area consisting of poroid cells and high-grade area with squamous differentiation. This histopathological heterogeneity suggested malignant transformation from poroma. The patient had the tumor in almost same size over the period of 20 years, which is the longest in the previous reports. This unique case of subcutaneous porocarcinoma is reported.

An unusual case of porocarcinoma arising on the scalp of a 22-year-old woman

Porocarcinoma is a rare malignant neoplasm that arises from the intraepidermal ductal portion of the eccrine sweat glands. This neoplasm most often presents in elderly individuals on the lower extremities. We present an unusual case of porocarcinoma arising on the scalp of a young patient. To the best of our knowledge, there have been fewer than 20 cases of porocarcinomas arising at this site reported in the literature.

A rare case of anal porocarcinoma treated by electrochemotherapy

We report the case of an old woman with an eccrine porocarcinoma unusually localized in the perianal area treated by electrochemotherapy, a new technique, emerging as a very effective local treatment of different skin metastases and selected primary tumors. Electrochemotherapy was performed taking into account patient wishes and refusal of demolitive surgery. The electrochemotherapy treatment was well tolerated by the patient, it gave an excellent clinical response and a complete clinical regression with no sphincter dysfunction and signs of relapse observed during follow-up. The case is of particular interest for the exceptional localization of porocarcinoma for the first time treated by electrochemotherapy in this area. Electrochemotherapy could be considered as an alternative option for selected cases of cutaneous tumors.

Eccrine Poromatosis: Case Report, Review of the Literature, and Treatment

Eccrine poromas arise from the intraepidermal region of the eccrine sweat duct and most often occur as a benign solitary tumor. There are few reports of the occurrence of multiple lesions, defined as poromatosis, which may present in patients who have undergone radiotherapy and/or polychemotherapy. We report the case of a 43-year-old male with a history of mantle cell lymphoma who had undergone 6 cycles of polychemotherapy. He presented to the dermatology clinic for multiple painful lesions on his palms and soles. Several biopsies were performed consistent with eccrine poromas. The patient was successfully treated with a combination of excision, imiquimod cream, and cryosurgery. This case adds to the literature regarding the pathogenesis and treatment options of eccrine poromatosis. Herein, we report a case of eccrine poromatosis that developed after 6 cycles of chemotherapy.

Treatment of eccrine porocarcinoma with Mohs micrographic surgery: a cases series and literature review

BACKGROUND

Eccrine porocarcinoma (EPC) is a rare malignant tumor of the eccrine sweat gland. It is a potentially fatal neoplasm that is locally aggressive and commonly recurs. Wide surgical excision has traditionally been the treatment of choice and is curative in approximately 70-80% of cases. The disease is metastatic to lymph nodes and distant sites in 20% and 10% of cases, respectively. Metastatic EPC has not shown any great response to adjuvant chemotherapy or radiation.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) for EPC as an alternative to wide local excision.

METHODS

Five patients diagnosed with EPS between 2011 and 2014 at the University of Louisville and treated with MMS were studied. Recurrence-free periods subsequent to the treatment of EPC with MMS were measured.

RESULTS

The five patients with EPC treated by MMS remained recurrence-free for a mean of 11 months (range: 2-26 months).

CONCLUSIONS

Mohs micrographic surgery is a highly effective treatment for EPC. Given the high rate of recurrence, propensity for lymph node metastases, and the often ineffective options for treating advanced disease, MMS should be considered in the treatment of all cases of EPC.

Clear cell proliferations of the skin

Clear cell proliferations of the skin consist of a diverse group of lesions characterized by the presence of cells with abundant clear cytoplasm. They may arise from primary, metastatic, or non-neoplastic origins, with their distinctive cytoplasmic clearing attributable to causes ranging from artifact to accumulation of materials such as glycogen, mucin, or lipids. Despite the heterogeneity of these lesions, their distinguishing characteristics may be subtle, especially at high power. As such, histologic diagnosis can be challenging, and proper consideration relies on an understanding of the scope of possible origins, etiologies, and key immunohistochemical staining patterns of the various entities. This review categorizes cutaneous clear cell neoplasms by histogenesis, and offers differential diagnostic strategies to aid in their clinicopathologic evaluation.

Mohs micrographic surgery for eccrine porocarcinoma: an update and review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Eccrine porocarcinoma (EPC) is a rare malignancy of the eccrine sweat glands that is locally aggressive with a high propensity to metastasize. Most cases have been treated by wide local excision (WLE) with 20% local recurrence rate. There have been 20 cases of EPC treated with Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) in the literature.

OBJECTIVE

To review the literature regarding the management of this aggressive tumor using MMS.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature review was conducted by searching the PubMed database using the keywords Mohs, porocarcinoma, malignant eccrine poroma, and eccrine neoplasms.

RESULTS

Most of the reported cases of EPC were treated by WLE, and only 20 cases were treated with MMS. Of the 20 EPC cases treated with MMS, there was only 1 nodal recurrence and no local recurrence. Other reported treatment modalities include radiation and excision with frozen sections. The authors report the second case of EPC on the temple, and the 21st case successfully treated with MMS.

CONCLUSION

Eccrine porocarcinoma is a rare neoplasm with potentially aggressive clinical behavior. In cases where tissue conservation is important, MMS should be considered.

Diagnostic Immunohistochemistry in Cutaneous Neoplasia: An Update

Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is an important adjunct in the diagnosis of neoplastic skin diseases. In addition to the many established IHC markers currently in use, new markers continue to emerge, although their general acceptance and routine application requires robust validation. Here, we summarize the most well-established and commonly used biomarkers along with an array of newer ones reported in the past several decades that either demonstrate or hold high clinical promise in the field of cutaneous pathology. We also highlight recent applications of novel IHC markers in melanoma diagnosis including genetic mutation status markers [e.g. BRAF (v-raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B) and NRAS (neuroblastoma RAS viral oncogene homolog)] and an epigenetic alteration marker (e.g. 5-hydroxymethylcytosine). We specifically focus on the role of IHC in the differential diagnosis of cutaneous lesions that fall under the following categories: melanoma, epidermal tumors with an intraepidermal epitheliomatous pattern, spindle cell lesions of the dermis, small round blue cell tumors of the dermis, and cutaneous adnexal tumors. While IHC is a valuable tool in diagnostic dermatopathology, marker selection and interpretation must be highly informed by clinical context and the histologic differential diagnosis. With rapid progress in our understanding of the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms of tumorigenesis, new IHC markers will continue to emerge in the field of diagnostic dermatopathology.

Porocarcinoma with perineural invasion

Herein we present the case of a 58 year old woman with porocarcinoma of the left forehead with perineural invasion, diagnosed after recurrence of previously excised benign poroma. This case serves as a reminder of the potential of malignant degeneration within long-standing benign adnexal tumors as well as the spectrum of histological features that may be seen in porocarcinoma.

Periungual eccrine poroma

BACKGROUND

Eccrine poroma is a rare, benign skin appendage tumor originating from the intraepidermal portion of the eccrine sweat duct, which typically occurs on the sides and soles of the feet. Nonetheless, eccrine poroma may be found in any skin area bearing sweat glands.

OBJECTIVE

Herein we report a case of an eccrine poroma in an unusual location, the surgical management of the condition, and follow-up processes.

A Case of Recurrent Eccrine Porocarcinoma with Regional Lymph Nodal Metastasis, Arising on a Bowen's Disease Patch

Eccrine carcinomas are very rare, comprising only less than 0.005 % of all cutaneous carcinomas, as reported by Goellner et al. (Cancer 56:1147-1162, 1985). We are reporting a case of recurrent eccrine porocarcinoma (EPC) with regional lymph nodal metastasis, which arose on a Bowen's disease patch. Wide local excision of the lesion with lymph node dissection and excision of the Bowen's disease was done.

[Eccrine porocarcinoma with Bowenoid changes: a challenging diagnosis of adnexal neoplasm]

Eccrine porocarcinoma is a rare malignant sweat gland tumor, representing less than 0.01% of all cutaneous neoplasms, with eccrin differentiation. Its acrosynringeal origin and physiopathology still remain discussed. The prognosis of this carcinoma is held to be poor with a significant risk of lymph node metastasis and local recurrence. Also, this not specific tumor can be a challenging histological diagnosis, in particular, in Bowenoid variant. We report a case of Bowenoid and keratinizing variant of eccrine porocarcinoma of the left ring finger with pejorative evolution and initial diagnosis of infiltrating squamous cell carcinoma arising in Bowen's disease. The knowledge of these patterns and identification of eccrine differentiation of the tumor are essential for the diagnosis and for adapted therapeutic care.

Successful Treatment of Eccrine Porocarcinoma Metastasized to a Cervical Lymph Node with CyberKnife Radiosurgery

Eccrine porocarcinoma is a rare type of skin cancer that originates from eccrine sweat glands or acrosyringium and mainly occurs in the elderly. In this report, we describe an 85-year-old Japanese woman with eccrine porocarcinoma that metastasized to a cervical lymph node who was cured with CyberKnife radiosurgery. Because our patient had a high risk of perioperative complication, standard surgical therapy with a wide margin was impractical. Our present study suggests the novel possibility of using CyberKnife for the treatment of inoperable metastatic porocarcinoma.

Poroma: a review of eccrine, apocrine, and malignant forms

Poroma is a benign adnexal neoplasm of the terminal sweat gland duct. Although poromas have traditionally been thought to originate from the eccrine sweat gland, there have been cases of apocrine etiology as well. Eccrine and apocrine poromas typically present as erythematous or flesh-colored nodules on the palms and soles. As these features overlap with a multitude of differential diagnoses, it is imperative to have a firm understanding of the characteristics that make the diagnosis of poroma. In addition, the malignant counterpart to the poroma, the eccrine porocarcinoma, manifests in a similar nonspecific fashion. Case studies and literature reviews have contributed immensely to our present knowledge of poroma and porocarcinoma. Given the rarity of these neoplasms, however, there remains a relative paucity of information on atypical presentations and rates of malignant transformation. In this article, the epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management of poroma and porocarcinoma will be reviewed. This systematic approach may serve as a guide in navigating the diagnostic dilemma of these rare cutaneous lesions.

Eccrine poroma on the face: an atypical presentation

An eccrine poroma is a solitary tumor arising from the eccrine duct epithelium in the epidermis. The lesions commonly occur on the sole of the foot, the hands, and occasionally on the nose, eyelids, neck, and chest. We report a patient who presented with a slow-growing nodular lesion over her left cheek, prompting a diagnosis of basal cell carcinoma or keratoacanthoma. Biopsy from the nodule revealed a well-defined epidermal tumor with uniform small cuboidal cells with rounded deeply basophilic nuclei, few narrow ductal lumina, and occasional cystic spaces confirming the diagnosis of an eccrine poroma.

[Primary eccrine porocarcinoma: a clinicopathological study of 50 cases]

BACKGROUND

Eccrine porocarcinoma is a rare cutaneous tumor arising from the intra-epidermal portion of eccrine sweat glands, the acrosyringium. Histoprognostic studies in large series are rare. Herein, we report a retrospective study of 50 cases.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Fifty cases of porocarcinoma were retrieved from a histopathological register. Each histopathological sample was evaluated for the following criteria: presence or absence of dermal invasion, pattern of the infiltrative component (pushing or infiltrative), tumor thickness, lymphovascular emboli, perineural invasion and mitotic index. Clinical data and outcome were also retrieved for each patient.

RESULTS

Mean patient age was 77 years (range: 43-99 years). The mean duration of progression prior to diagnosis was 4 years and 5 months. The 2 most common skin locations were the head (38%) and lower limbs (20%). The lesions showed no specific distinctive clinical features. Six cases were in situ, and 44 were invasive (23 with limited infiltration and 20 with scattered infiltration). Mean tumor thickness was 4.37 mm (range: 0.5 to 20 mm). Neighboring or remote epidermal involvement was noted in 7 cases. Lymphovascular emboli were observed in 3 cases. No cases of neurotropism were observed. The average mitotic index was 6.5 mitoses/high power (×400) field. A mean follow-up of 24.3 months was available for 48 patients. Local recurrence was noted in 5 patients, 4 of whom died from visceral metastases. These 5 cases showed no distinctive clinical features, a scattered pattern of the invasive component, cuticular cells, significant tumor thickness (mean 12.8 mm, range 9-20 mm), and an elevated mitotic index. Two histopathological criteria were significantly associated with a metastatic outcome: scattered pattern of the dermal invasive component (P=0.04) and significant tumor thickness, above 10mm (P<0.01).

CONCLUSION

Porocarcinoma is a tumor without any particular clinical criteria to distinguish it from squamous cell carcinoma. The architecture of the invasive component and tumor thickness constitute 2 important histoprognostic criteria.

Eccrine porocarcinoma: A case report and review of the literature

Eccrine porocarcinoma is a rare form of skin cancer that is often confused with other types of skin malignancy. The present paper highlights a typical case to remind plastic surgeons of the natural history, pathological findings and current literature on the management of this cancer.

Eccrine porocarcinoma: clinical and pathological report of eight cases

Background

Eccrine porocarcinoma (EPC), a slow-growing carcinoma of the sweat gland, is a rare condition documented only in a small number of case series. Due to its rarity, guidelines and specific recommendations are not widely available. Accordingly, many dermatologists encounter difficulty in diagnosing and treating EPC. The aim of this study is to report the clinical and pathological features of EPC in order to contribute to the body of information currently available on the subject.

Patients and Methods

From 2003 to 2013, 8 Japanese patients were diagnosed with EPC at the Department of Dermatology in the Hachioji Medical Center of Tokyo Medical University. Patient data, including clinical manifestations, histopathological findings, immunohistochemical results, treatment method, and clinical course were collected and documented.

Results

The mean age of the patients (6 males and 2 females) was 72.6 years. The duration of the lesions ranged from 4 months to 5 years (mean: 3.5 years). All of the lesions clinically presented with erosive reddish nodules (mean size: 39.0 mm). Initial CT imaging revealed that 1 case had multiple distant metastases. Surgical resection was performed for all primary lesions and follow-up observations were available in all cases (mean: 10.9 months). One case with distal metastases underwent both radiation therapy and chemotherapy, but nevertheless succumbed to the disease.

Conclusion

The EPC cases in our department presented a versatile clinical appearance and characteristic histopathological features.

Eccrine poromatosis: case report and review of the literature

Eccrine poroma (EP) is a benign tumor of the eccrine duct. Multiple EPs are defined as eccrine poromatosis (EPS), an uncommon phenomenon. To date there are only eight reported cases of EPS. This review exemplifies the epidemiology, pathogenesis, differential diagnosis, and histology of EP, while reviewing the eight cases of EPS. Six of the eight cases of EPS had a history of immunosuppression from either radiation or chemotherapy. This paper will also emphasize the importance of excision to avoid possible malignancy. Here we present a 73-year-old gentleman with EPS who was also treated with radiation and chemotherapy prior to the onset of the lesions.

A case of eccrine porocarcinoma: usefulness of immunostain for s-100 protein in the diagnoses of recurrent and metastatic dedifferentiated lesions

Eccrine porocarcinoma is a rare malignant tumor. Immunostain for S-100 protein, in addition to epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), is described to be useful in the diagnosis. Herein, we report a case of eccrine porocarcinoma with immunostain for S-100 protein which was useful in diagnoses of recurrent and metastatic lesions. The primary lesion in the left inguinal region was excised, but it recurred on the same site 14 months after the resection. The recurrent lesion showed epithelioid melanocytic findings. Three months later, metastasis to the lungs was found. Since these recurrent and metastatic lesions were dedifferentiated, typical histologic findings of eccrine porocarcinoma disappeared in biopsied specimens. Nevertheless, scattered immunoreactive cells for S-100 protein were maintained in these dedifferentiated lesions. S-100 protein positive cells could be an aid to diagnose, even if histologic findings of recurrent and metastatic lesions have changed by dedifferentiation.

A brief review of different types of sweat-gland carcinomas in the eyelid and orbit

Sweat-gland carcinoma is a rare cutaneous appendage malignant tumor. Primary sweat-gland cancer can arise in the eyelid and orbit and is extremely rare. It has been classified into different types, and is usually locally recurrent after surgery. The tumors also appear in the orbit, which is characterized by metastasis. Therefore, great attention should be paid to the development of sweat-gland carcinomas. Specifically, our report briefly reviews the types of sweat-gland carcinomas that occur in the eyelid and orbit according to pathological classifications.

Neck sweat gland cancer hemorrhage. Case study

Background

This paper reports a case of an 87-year-old female patient who was admitted for an emergency operation due to massive hemorrhage of an ulceration localized on a huge neck tumor. Post-interventional diagnosis indicated hidradenocarcinoma. Hidradenocarcinoma is a rare skin neoplasm. It can coincide with adenoma, may develop through its malignant transformation or develop as a malignant tumor from the beginning. It may be found in all dermal localizations. It may develop metastases or appear in the diffuse form.

Material and methods

Surgical excision of the tumor was performed obtaining a surgical margin, completed with excision of local lymph nodes and multiple layer suturing. Due to lack of the patient's consent, she has not been qualified for adjuvant therapy.

Results

Control examination 6 and 12 months later showed no signs of local recurrence or lymph node metastasis. Conclusion: Surgical excision of apocrine hidradenocarcinoma with a surgical margin could present a good therapeutic effect in spite of lack of adjuvant therapy.

Apocrine-eccrine carcinomas: molecular and immunohistochemical analyses

Apocrine-eccrine carcinomas are rare and associated with poor prognosis. Currently there is no uniform treatment guideline. Chemotherapeutic drugs that selectively target cancer-promoting pathways may complement conventional therapeutic approaches. However, studies on genetic alterations and EGFR and Her2 status of apocrine-eccrine carcinomas are few in number. In addition, hormonal studies have not been comprehensive and performed only on certain subsets of apocrine-eccrine carcinomas. To investigate whether apocrine-eccrine carcinomas express hormonal receptors or possess activation of oncogenic pathways that can be targeted by available chemotherapeutic agent we performed immunohistochemistry for AR, PR, ER, EGFR, and HER2 expression; fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for EGFR and ERBB2 gene amplification; and molecular analyses for recurrent mutations in 15 cancer genes including AKT-1, EGFR, PIK3CA, and TP53 on 54 cases of apocrine-eccrine carcinomas. They include 10 apocrine carcinomas, 7 eccrine carcinomas, 9 aggressive digital papillary adenocarcinomas, 10 hidradenocarcinomas, 11 porocarcinomas, 1 adenoid cystic carcinoma, 4 malignant chondroid syringomas, 1 malignant spiradenoma, and 1 malignant cylindroma. AR, ER, PR, EGFR and HER2 expression was seen in 36% (19/53), 27% (14/51), 16% (8/51), 85% (44/52) and 12% (6/52), respectively. Polysomy or trisomy of EGFR was detected by FISH in 30% (14/46). Mutations of AKT-1, PIK3CA, and TP53 were detected in 1, 3, and 7 cases, respectively (11/47, 23%). Additional investigation regarding the potential treatment of rare cases of apocrine-eccrine carcinomas with PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway inhibitors, currently in clinical testing, may be of clinical interest.

Porocarcinoma: case report

Eccrine porocarcinoma is a rare, malignant neoplasm of eccrine sweat glands. It often occurs in elderly people, mean age of 67.5 years. The clinical features are variable and their localization is not related to sweat-gland concentration, occurring mainly on the feet and legs. Disease diagnosis and treatment should be as early as possible in order to avoid tumor aggressiveness that occurs in 20% of the cases. The authors present a case of extensive porocarcinoma on the thorax of a 71-year-old male patient.