Sebaceous carcinoma: clinicopathologic features and diagnostic role of immunohistochemistry (including androgen receptor)

Sebaceous carcinoma in a 54-year-old Black African man after cancer chemotherapy: a case report

BACKGROUND

Sebaceous carcinoma is a very rare malignant skin adnexal tumor that is occasionally aggressive. We have not seen a case of sebaceous carcinoma in our center in the last 10 years. It is extremely rare in Black Africans.

CASE PRESENTATION

We described the case of a 55-year-old man African man who presented to our ophthalmologist with complaints of growth on the right upper eyelid for 8 months. He had surgery and chemotherapy for rectal carcinoma 6 years prior to presentation and received his last dose of chemotherapy 5 years before seeing our ophthalmologist. There was a history of spontaneous unprovoked bleeding from the lesion. He subsequently underwent surgical excision under general anesthesia. Histology of the mass showed an effaced architecture due to proliferating malignant epithelial cells disposed as trabecules, solid nests, and tongues. The microscopic features of widespread multivacuolated cytoplasm of the neoplastic cells led us to conclude that the tumor was a sebaceous carcinoma. The patient is alive and well.

CONCLUSION

Sebaceous carcinoma is a rare malignant skin adnexal tumor in Black Africans. It can present as an eyelid mass with spontaneous bleeding. It can follow cancer chemotherapy either because of its association with other tumors in Muir-Torre syndrome or because of mutagenic effects of chemotherapeutic agents.

Sebaceous carcinoma: an updated review of pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment options

Sebaceous carcinoma (SC) is a very rare and aggressive form of skin cancer that arises from the sebaceous glands. SC can occur anywhere on the body, but most commonly affects the head and neck, especially the upper eyelid. SC is the third most common malignancy of the eyelid and has the potential to metastasize and be fatal; therefore, it is vital for dermatologists to remain acquainted with this malignancy and its most current treatment options. Most commonly presenting as a painless lump or thickening of skin on the eyelid, SC has an insidious progression that may not prompt the patient to seek medical attention immediately. To avoid the potential of metastasis, early diagnosis and treatment is paramount. To assess if the cancer has spread, ophthalmology, imaging, and sentinel lymph node biopsy are recommended. This article provides a comprehensive review of SC's pathogenesis, current diagnostic methods, and treatments, including wide local excision, Mohs micrographic surgery, orbital exenteration, radiation, and other topicals. The prognosis of SC depends on several factors, including size, location, stage, and treatment method. After treatment of the neoplasm, diligent post-treatment surveillance remains the cornerstone of patient care. Continued dermatologic follow-ups are essential for early detection of reoccurrence, ensuring timely intervention and optimal long-term outcomes. In conclusion, this comprehensive review aims to equip dermatologists and other physicians with a nuanced understanding of SC, enabling them to provide effective care to support patients encountering this malignancy.

External auditory canal sebaceous carcinoma

The incidence of sebaceous carcinoma (SC) in the outer one-third of the external auditory canal is considered extremely rare, and only eight case reports have been published. We present a case of a male patient in his late 70s known case of hypertension on indapamide. His medical history included a postspinal tumour that had been treated with surgery and radiation more than 40 years ago and current complaints of right ear pain and purulent discharge. A right ear soft granular tissue mass was found. Complete debulking of the right ear mass was done in conjunction with middle ear exploration, moderately differentiated SC diagnosis was made based on the histopathological analysis. The patient was free of recurrence but then died of an unrelated pulmonary infection. SC should be suspected in elderly patients who present with long-term complaints of a mass with or without otalgia, and these patients should be examined for the presence of such tumours especially if they report a history of radiation. Additionally, more research is warranted to investigate the association of diuretics with SC.

Primary Sebaceous Carcinoma of the Eyebrow: A Case Report

Sebaceous carcinoma (SC) is an uncommon but aggressive malignancy and has a specific anatomic preference for the ocular region, especially the eyelids. However, periocular SC originated from the eyebrow is rare, which may cause poorer outcomes due to a greater likelihood of orbital invasion and excessive tumor volume. In the present case, we exhibited a 68-year-old male presenting with a large solid mass in his right eyebrow region developing in ten months. Based on the patient's history, clinical conditions, orbital computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan results, a malignant tumor was suspected preliminarily. Excisional biopsy was performed, and the histopathologic examination and immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining of the tumor revealed SC. The patient declined the enlarged surgery recommended next and ended up with death caused by the distant metastasis of SC. The case highlighted the fact that despite its rarity, SC should be considered as a differential diagnosis of tumors located in the eyebrow region and histopathologic evaluation must be performed to reach a definite diagnosis. Ophthalmologists are supposed to have a comprehensive understanding of the clinicopathological characteristics of this disease and help patients accept the appropriate treatments promptly via properly and adequate communication if necessary.

Diagnostic Accuracy of GATA6 Immunostaining in Sebaceous Tumors of the Skin

The accurate diagnosis of skin adnexal neoplasms is sometimes challenging but is necessary because medical management and follow-up may differ between tumors. GATA6 transcription factor has been identified as a new marker of the upper folliculosebaceous compartment (lower infundibulum, junctional zone and isthmus, and upper sebaceous gland) in the human skin. We aimed to determine the diagnostic accuracy of GATA6 immunostaining to diagnose sebaceous tumors compared with that to diagnose other adnexal and nonadnexal cutaneous neoplasms. We conducted a retrospective, evaluator-nonblinded study comparing the reference standard (diagnosis by an expert dermatopathologist) with GATA6 immunostaining to identify sebaceous tumors in a cohort containing 234 different tumors. The GATA6 expression score was significatively higher in sebaceous than that in nonsebaceous tumors. In addition, tumors originating from the upper hair follicle showed positive results for GATA6 staining; however, they showed lower GATA6 expression scores. Detection of sebaceous tumors using GATA6 positivity had a sensitivity of 95.7% (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 85.8-99.2), specificity of 80.8% (95% CI, 74.5-85.8), positive predictive value of 55.6% (95% CI, 44.7-65.9), and negative predictive value of 98.7% (95% CI, 95.4-99.8). GATA6 showed similar sensitivity to adipophilin, the reference marker; however, the specificity of GATA6 was higher, as observed in a cohort of 106 tumors enriched in squamous cell carcinomas with clear-cell histology. In addition, GATA6 positivity was assessed in 39 sebaceous carcinomas and compared with epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), CK7, and androgen receptor (AR) staining results. Although CK7 staining displayed lower diagnostic performances, GATA6 staining showed comparable results as EMA and AR. Finally, we found GATA6 expression in skin metastases of gastrointestinal origin, whereas GATA6 was absent in metastases originating from breast or lung cancers. Overall, our work identified GATA6 immunostaining as a new diagnostic tool for sebaceous tumors.

Cytomorphology of sebaceous carcinoma of the eyelid: A short series of three cases with literature review

BACKGROUND

Ocular sebaceous carcinoma (OSC) is a malignant and potentially lethal sebaceous gland tumor. Clinically, it masquerades as other benign and less malignant lesions, resulting in a delay in diagnosis.

METHODS

In the present study, we sought to evaluate the cytomorphology of this aggressive neoplasm diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) last year at our institute.

RESULTS/FINDINGS

We report three cases of OSC diagnosed on aspiration cytology showed a cellular smear composed of sheets, 3D clusters, papillaroid, and singly scattered polygonal tumor cells having centrally located hyperchromatic pleomorphic nuclei and multiple microvacuolations in the cytoplasm. Necrosis and crushing artifact were also identified. Special stains such as Oil Red O stain on air-dried smears showed positivity, confirming the presence of lipid globules. Subsequently, the Cytological impression of sebaceous carcinoma was confirmed on histopathology.

CONCLUSIONS

The article highlights the role of FNAC in the early and correct diagnosis of aggressive tumors and subsequent appropriate management to prevent recurrence and metastasis.

GLUT1 Expression in Cutaneous Sebaceous Lesions Determined by Immunohistochemical Staining Patterns

GLUT1 is a membrane associated carrier protein that functions in the physiologic transport of glucose across cell membranes. Multiple studies have shown an increased GLUT1 expression in various tumor types and a role in cancer prognosis. The aim of this study was to determine whether cutaneous sebaceous lesions have a differential expression of GLUT1 by immunohistochemistry (IHC). GLUT1 IHC was performed on excision specimens of ten cases of sebaceous carcinoma, nine of sebaceoma, ten of sebaceous adenoma, and ten of sebaceous hyperplasia. Intense, diffuse cytoplasmic staining was observed in sebaceous carcinoma. The pattern of GLUT1 staining in sebaceomas and sebaceous adenomas consisted of a gradient of intense cytoplasmic staining in the basaloid cells with a decreased intensity to membranous staining only and absent staining in mature sebaceous cells. In lesions of sebaceous hyperplasia, GLUT1 staining outlined the basal layer of each gland; cytoplasmic staining was minimal to absent. Increased cytoplasmic staining of GLUT1 may correlate with cellular metabolic and proliferative activity. GLUT1 has potential utility in differentiating sebaceous lesions.

Sebaceous carcinoma of the right palate: case report and literature review

Considering the low incidence rates of primary sebaceous carcinoma (SC) of extraorbital sites, let alone those occur in intraoral sites, clinicopathological characteristics and histogenesis are not fully understood. In the present case, a maxillary mass was presented and a low-grade malignant tumor was suspected according to the CT scans, preoperative FNA, and clinical conditions. Other carcinomas, including acinar cell carcinoma (ACC), basaloid cell carcinoma (BCC), SCC, mucoepidermoid carcinoma, and epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma (EMC), were also considered before surgery. Due to the rare occurrence of SC and no preoperative suspects, a fresh sample was not kept. Sadly, thus cause those special stains (e.g., Oil Red O and Sudan IV) which form the primary basis for a diagnosis of SC in academic circles were missing. A comprehensive literature review identified only 10 cases of intraoral SC, of which the primary sites reported in the English literature were the buccal mucosa, mouth floor, upper labial mucosa, and tongue. Due to an absence of specific biomarkers and simulated characters, histochemistry and immunohistochemistry such as PAS, CK, EMA, p63, p53, S-100, calponin, CD117, Ki-67, a-SMA, and AR form the diagnostic standard of SC. Postoperative immunohistochemistry of our case showed S100(-), Ki-67(-), calponin(-), CD117(-), CK20(-), PAS(-), AR(+), CK(+), CK5/6(+), P53(+), P63(+), a-SMA (+). Thus the diagnosis of SC was finally made. Through discussing the findings of our case and reviewing literature, we present the histological features and discuss possible outstanding biomarkers of this neoplasm.

Twenty-Eight Cases of Extraocular Sebaceous Carcinoma: A Correlative Clinicopathological and Immunohistochemical Analysis of Extraocular Sebaceous Carcinomas and Benign Sebaceous Gland Tumors

ABSTRACT

Extraocular sebaceous carcinoma (ESC) is a rare appendiceal skin tumor. In contrast to ocular sebaceous carcinoma, information about the exact cellular architecture of these lesions is scarce and the histogenesis of ESC is unknown. Here, we extend our previous study and investigate 28 extraocular carcinomas in comparison to 54 benign sebaceous tumors and 8 cases of normal sebaceous glands using a broad spectrum of antibodies against p63, several keratins, adipophilin, EMA, Ki67, androgen receptor, and mismatch repair proteins. This observational study demonstrates that p63- and K5/14-positive basaloid cells are key cells in normal sebaceous gland and in all sebaceous tumors and that these basaloid cells give rise to EMA+, adipophilin+ sebocytes, and K5/14+, K7±, K10± ductal structures. Finally, about half of ESC is associated with superficial in situ neoplasia, which provides evidence that at least part of these carcinomas arises from flat superficial in situ carcinoma. In contrast to the normal sebaceous gland, about half of all sebaceous tumors lack keratin K7. MMR protein IHC-profiles role will be discussed.

Androgen receptor expression in epidermal and adnexal tumours

INTRODUCTION

Androgen receptor (AR) immunohistochemistry is used in general pathology and in dermatopathology, particularly for sebaceous tumours. The goal of this study was to quantify AR expression in benign and malignant epidermal tumours and adnexal tumours.

METHODS

We studied AR expression in 301 skin lesions using standard immunohistochemistry and compared 10 trichoblastomas, 10 sebaceomas and 10 hidradenomas using 5 markers (cytokeratin 7 and 8, PHLDA1, BerEp4 and AR).

RESULTS

The rates of AR expression were: 22% in basal cell carcinomas, 3% in squamous cell carcinomas, 92% in sebaceous tumours, 10% in follicular tumours and 22% in sweat gland tumours. Benign sebaceous tumours were AR+ in 97% of cases. Only 12% of sebaceous carcinomas showed no AR staining. The immunohistochemical profiles of the comparative study were as follows: sebaceoma: AR+, CK7-, CK8-, PHLDA1-, BerEp4-; hidradenoma: AR-, CK7+, CK8+, PHLDA1+, BerEp4+; trichoblastoma: AR-, CK7-, CK8-, PHLDA1+, BerEp4+.

DISCUSSION

AR staining was positive in 92% of sebaceous tumours, including sebaceomas, in some cases indicative of Muir-Torre syndrome. AR staining is therefore highly sensitive for the diagnosis of sebaceous tumours, but it is non-specific and is best used in combination with other antibodies, notably anti-CK8 and PHLDA1, particularly to distinguish sebaceoma from hidradenoma or trichoblastoma.

Bioinformatics analysis of the microRNA-mRNA network in sebaceous gland carcinoma of the eyelid

Sebaceous gland carcinoma (SGC) of the eyelid is an uncommon aggressive tumor with a relatively high rate of local recurrence and a poor prognosis following metastasis. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of SGC remain unclear. The purpose of the present study was to clarify microRNA (miRNA) expression profiles in SGC and to explore novel miRNA-mRNA networks of SGC. A small RNA-sequencing analysis was performed to identify miRNAs differentially expressed between SGC and sebaceous adenoma control samples. Bioinformatics analyses were conducted to reveal biological functions, canonical pathways and molecular interaction networks using integrated miRNA-mRNA datasets, including mRNA expression profiles of SGC from our previous study. The present results demonstrated that 16 upregulated miRNAs and 516 downregulated mRNAs were associated with loss of lipid metabolism function and enriched in cholesterol biosynthesis pathways. By contrast, 29 downregulated miRNAs and 194 upregulated mRNAs were mainly associated with the promotion of cell survival and proliferation in addition to enrichment of DNA damage-induced cell cycle-regulation pathways. Furthermore, network analyses revealed that the upregulated miRNAs, miR-130a-3p and miR-939-5p, and the downregulated miRNAs, miR-146a-5p, miR-149-3p, miR-193a-3p, miR-195-5p and miR-4671-3p, could be upstream regulators related to these functional changes of SGC. These results improved the understanding of molecular mechanisms of SGC and may help to improve the diagnosis of SGC.

Management of recurrent sebaceous gland carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the incidence and management of recurrent periocular sebaceous gland carcinoma at a tertiary ocular oncology service in the United Kingdom.

METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort study of 62 patients with sebaceous gland carcinoma treated between 2004 and 2017. A total of 10 eyes were treated for local recurrence. The following variables were recorded: age and sex of patient; tumour location, histological subtype; recurrence type; treatment and outcome.

RESULTS

Of the 62 cases with eyelid SGC, 10 (16%) had recurrences during the study period and satisfied inclusion criteria. There were six (60%) females and four males in the recurrent group. The mean time interval between initial excision and tumour recurrence was 37 months (median 23 months; range 4 to 84 months). Four patients received cryotherapy to the lids and conjunctiva to control recurrent disease and two patients were treated with topical or intralesional chemotherapy. Four patients (40%) underwent orbital exenteration during the study period. Metastasis occurred in 20% over a mean follow-up of 113 months (median 106; range 47-184 months).

CONCLUSIONS

The risk factors for local recurrence of SGC after wide excision with paraffin section control were reported, and an approach to these recurrent lesions was proposed. The results of this study will help guide surgeons dealing with the medical and surgical conundrum of recurrent disease. The risk of recurrence is highest in the first 2 years after initial excision.

Utility of Ber-EP4 and MOC-31 in Basaloid Skin Tumor Detection

Ber-EP4 has been the traditional immunostain used for the detection of basaloid skin tumors. Recently, MOC-31 has shown be superior to Ber-EP4 in the detection of basosquamous basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and many centers are now using both Ber-EP4 and MOC-31 antibodies together to detect these lesions. The objective of this study was to compare the utility of using both Ber-EP4 and MOC-31 immunostains in the detection of basaloid skin tumors and to better characterize the previously unknown staining properties of MOC-31 in cutaneous lesions. To do this, 76 basaloid skin tumors stained with both Ber-EP4 and MOC-31 were obtained. Diagnoses included basosquamous BCC, Merkel cell carcinoma, adenoid cystic carcinoma, microcystic adnexal carcinoma, sebaceous carcinoma, trichoepithelioma, trichoblastoma, sebaceous adenoma, sebaceoma, and follicular induction overlying dermatofibroma. The distribution and intensity of Ber-EP4 and MOC-31 staining in these lesions was scored. These scores were analyzed using a truth table, χ test, and Pearson correlation tests. The overall mean and SD of the scores were also obtained. Overall, we found Ber-EP4 and MOC-31 to be statistically equivalent immunostains for the diagnosis of basaloid skin tumors. We recommend the use of only one of these antibodies and favor MOC-31 for the detection of basaloid skin tumors. We also describe MOC-31 staining properties in different cutaneous lesions.

Extraocular Sebaceous Carcinoma Presenting As a Nodule over the Zygoma

We describe a case of sebaceous carcinoma (SC) in a 75-year-old man who presented with a rapidly growing nodule on the left cheek for four weeks.

A 75-year-old man presented with a crusted non-tender nodule on the left cheek that had been present for six months. The nodule showed rapid growth in the four weeks before the visit. Shave biopsy of the lesion was reported as SC.

SC is a rare but aggressive type of skin cancer that can develop from any sebaceous gland in the body. However, it mostly occurs in the eyelids. In this case, SC developed on the left cheek of the patient, which is an atypical presentation. Extraocular variant of SC has a greater potential to metastasize and has a lower survival rate compared to ocular variant. Early and accurate diagnosis followed by a wide excision surgery or Mohs micrographic surgery carries a favorable prognosis.

Early detection of extraocular variant of SC may be difficult. It is imperative for primary care providers to order a histopathology examination to investigate a rapidly growing mass in the head and neck region where there are numerous sebaceous glands.

Periocular intraepithelial sebaceous neoplasia: critical appraisal of nomenclature and prognostic importance

Intraepithelial sebaceous neoplasia in the forms (or subclassification) of pagetoid spread and carcinoma in situ is a common feature of periocular sebaceous carcinoma and is associated with less favourable outcomes. Seminal studies of periocular sebaceous carcinoma in the 1980s indicated that the two patterns of intraepithelial spread had differing influences on prognosis with pagetoid invasion being worse. Later studies reported conflicting results, but careful inspection of those studies revealed considerable variation in what was meant by pagetoid invasion. Different interpretations of pagetoid spread continue, leading to ambiguous results in clinical studies and miscommunication with potential unintended decisions affecting clinical management. This paper reviews the background leading to the frequent interchangeable use of pagetoid spread with in situ sebaceous carcinoma and how this problem confounds interpretation of clinical studies. The author recommends that for effective communication, all morphological patterns of in situ spread of sebaceous carcinoma fall under the term intraepithelial sebaceous neoplasia, which can be accompanied by subclassification whenever desired.

Sebaceous carcinoma in a mature teratoma of the ovary

The finding of a sebaceous carcinoma in a mature teratoma is rare in human pathology, with fewer than 10 cases currently reported in the literature. In this article, we report a case of sebaceous carcinoma in a mature teratoma of the ovary in a 59-year-old patient and discuss its histological findings.

Periocular Sebaceous Carcinoma With Apocrine Differentiation: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

A 61-year-old man presented with a dome-shaped tumor in the right eyelid. Histology revealed a cutaneous neoplasm with lobular growth pattern. It was composed of large basaloid cells, cells with sebaceous differentiation, and glandular structures with apocrine features. The immunohistochemical study revealed diffuse expression of CK7, EMA, and androgen receptors in the neoplastic cells. Gross cystic disease fluid protein-15 highlighted the luminal cells, consistent with apocrine differentiation. These findings fit with a sebaceous carcinoma with focal glandular apocrine differentiation ("sebo-apocrine" carcinoma). Metastasis to regional lymph nodes were diagnosed 12 months after the surgical procedure. After 3 years of follow-up, the patient is alive, with evidence of persistent locoregional metastasis, but no evidence of distant metastasis. Most cutaneous adnexal tumors present only one cell type of differentiation, but hybrid/combined tumors can occur. Despite "sebo-apocrine" tumors are not unexpected, due to their common origin in the follicular-sebaceous apocrine unit, they are very rarely reported.

Regression of Sebaceous Carcinoma of the Eyelid after a Small Incisional Biopsy: Report of Two Cases

Purpose

To report 2 cases of regression of sebaceous carcinoma of the eyelid after a small incisional biopsy.

Methods

Clinical, imaging, and histopathological findings are presented, with a literature review on regressing ocular tumors.

Results

Our first patient was a 79-year-old man who presented with a 10-month history of progressive left upper eyelid ptosis caused by an eyelid tumor with orbital involvement and confirmed on magnetic resonance imaging. Our second patient was a 70-year-old woman who presented with ptosis with a left upper eyelid mass. Both patients underwent a small incisional biopsy of their lesion. The histopathological diagnoses in both cases were consistent with sebaceous carcinoma. Both patients refused exenteration. Follow-up clinical examination and imaging disclosed total regression of the ptosis and of the neoplasm with no sign of recurrence in both patients over a 4-year period for Case 1 and a 7-year period for Case 2.

Conclusion

Regression following incisional biopsy of basal cell, squamous cell, and Merkel cell carcinoma, including of the eyelid, is well documented. To the best of our knowledge, our 2 cases of sebaceous carcinoma are the first to be reported with total involution clinically and on imaging of the tumor following partial incisional biopsy.

Adipophilin as prognostic biomarker in clear cell renal cell carcinoma

Objective

To study the expression of adipophilin (PLIN2), a lipid storage-associated cell protein, in different subtypes of renal cell cancer and to elucidate its prognostic value.

Materials and Methods

Two-hundred-seventy-five patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) were included in this study. Immunohistochemistry with a polyclonal antibody to adipophilin was used on the tissue microarray (formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue) for detection of adipophilin. Median follow-up time was 91 (range 1-159) months in the whole cohort and 100 (1-159) months for patients with clear-cell RCC. Additional validation for adipophilin was performed using publicly available gene expression data for clear cell RCC from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA).

Results

Adipophilin expression was detected in 14.3% of papillary RCC, in 0% of chromophobe RCC and in 58.7% of clear-cell RCC in the cytoplasm or at the membrane. Only membrane expression was correlated with other clinical parameters (pT-stage, pN-stage, R-status, sex) and showed a prognostic significance in univariate analysis with regard to overall survival of patients with clear cell subtype (HR 2.90, 95% CI 1.55-5.42, p=0.001), which failed significance on multivariate analysis. mRNA expression of PLIN2 on TCGA data using best selected cut-off was prognostically significant in both univariate (HR 1.76, 95% CI 1.28-2.42, p = 0.0005) and multivariate analyses (HR 1.46, 95% CI 1.05-2.04, p = 0.0257).

Conclusions

Adipophilin is a novel and still understudied prognostic biomarker in clear cell renal cell carcinoma which deserves further study.

The association between nuclear receptors and ocular diseases

Nuclear hormone receptors (NRs) are one of the most abundant transcription factors in the human cells. They regulate expression of genes via interactions with corresponding ligands, co-activators, and co-repressors. These molecular pathways play important roles in the development, cell differentiation, and physiologic and metabolic processes. Increasingly, targeting nuclear receptors is becoming a promising strategy for new drug development. The aim of this review is to discuss the association between nuclear receptors and eye development, and expand their role in various ocular diseases such as keratitis, cataract, glaucoma, uveitis, retinopathy, and ophthalmic tumors. Recent studies in this area are highlighted as well as future research directions and potential clinical applications. Finally, various strategies will be elucidated to inspire more targeted therapies for ocular diseases through the use of nuclear receptors.

Sebaceous lesions of the skin

Sebaceous differentiation is commonly seen in cutaneous neoplasms, both in the context of lesions showing predominantly sebaceous differentiation (e.g., sebaceous adenoma, sebaceoma and sebaceous carcinoma), or as more focal sebaceous components in neoplasms with other primary lines of differentiation. Sebaceous changes can also be a component of benign cystic lesions or epidermal tumours, and sebaceous hyperplasia is commonly encountered. This review is intended to provide an overview of the cutaneous lesions with sebaceous differentiation, with a particular emphasis on facilitating histological diagnosis of neoplasms. In addition, the role of immunohistochemical studies is outlined, as well as the evaluation of potential cases of Muir-Torre syndrome.

Sebaceous Carcinoma: Clinicopathologic Analysis of 29 Cases in a Tertiary Hospital in Korea

Sebaceous carcinoma (SC) is a neoplasm derived from the adnexal epithelium of the sebaceous glands, and most studies on this neoplasm have been conducted in Caucasians. We retrospectively reviewed the records of 29 patients with SC (16 extraocular and 13 ocular lesions) who were diagnosed from 2001 to 2014 to analyze the clinical and histopathological features of SC in the Korean population. Sixteen of the patients were women and 13 were men. There was an equal sex distribution for extraocular lesions, and a female predilection (M:F = 1:1.6) for ocular lesions. The mean ages at presentation of extraocular and ocular lesions were 69.19 ± 37.19 (range, 32-87) and 67.46 ± 24.46 (range, 43-85) years, respectively. Most lesions occurred in the eyelid (13/29, 44.83%), and most extraocular lesions occurred in the head and neck area (13/16, 81.25%). There was no recurrence or death during the follow-up period. Most lesions were poorly differentiated (extraocular, 43.75%; ocular, 38.46%), had a lobular infiltrative growth pattern (extraocular, 68.75%; ocular, 76.92%), and were basaloid (extraocular, 56.25%; ocular, 61.54%). Only 5 cases (2 extraocular and 3 ocular lesions) showed pagetoid spread. Extraocular lesions were marginally more common than the ocular form. There were higher incidences in elderly patients, who also had the highest incidence of eyelid lesions. The proportion of cells with sebaceous differentiation and prominent growth patterns were variable. Our results show that SC may not be very aggressive in Koreans.

Topics in histopathology of sweat gland and sebaceous neoplasms

This article reviews several topics regarding sweat gland and sebaceous neoplasms. First, the clinicopathological characteristics of poroid neoplasms are summarized. It was recently reported that one-fourth of poroid neoplasms are composite tumors and one-fourth are apocrine type lesions. Recent progress in the immunohistochemical diagnosis of sweat gland neoplasms is also reviewed. CD117 can help to distinguish sweat gland or sebaceous tumors from other non-Merkel cell epithelial tumors of the skin. For immunohistochemical differential diagnosis between sweat gland carcinoma (SGC) other than primary cutanesous apocrine carcinoma and skin metastasis of breast carcinoma (SMBC), a panel of antibodies may be useful, including p63 (SGC⁺ , SMBC^- ), CK5/6 (SGC⁺ , SMBC^- ), podoplanin (SGC⁺ , SMBC^- ) and mammaglobin (SGC^- , SMBC⁺ ). Comparison of antibodies used for immunohistochemical diagnosis of sebaceous carcinoma (SC) suggests that adipophilin has the highest sensitivity and specificity. Some authors have found that immunostaining for survivin, androgen receptor and ZEB2/SIP1 has prognostic value for ocular SC, but not extraocular SC. In situ SC is rare, especially extraocular SC, but there have been several recent reports that actinic keratosis and Bowen's disease are the source of invasive SC. Finally, based on recent reports, classification of sebaceous neoplasms into three categories is proposed, which are sebaceoma (a benign neoplasm with well-defined architecture and no atypia), borderline sebaceous neoplasm (low-grade SC; an intermediate tumor with well-defined architecture and nuclear atypia) and SC (a malignant tumor with invasive growth and evident nuclear atypia).

Folliculosebaceous neoplasms: A review of clinical and histological features

Numerous benign and occasionally malignant tumors arise from the folliculosebaceous apparatus. Confusing terminology, rarity of malignant variants and overlapping histological features can lead to diagnostic uncertainty. This review highlights the clinical and histopathological features that help to classify these entities, as well as the various syndromes associated with certain members of this large family of tumors.

Risk Factors for Local Recurrence or Metastasis of Eyelid Sebaceous Gland Carcinoma After Wide Excision With Paraffin Section Control

PURPOSE

To identify risk factors for local recurrence and metastasis of sebaceous gland carcinoma (SGC) after wide excision with paraffin section control.

DESIGN

Retrospective, observational case-control study.

METHODS

Setting: Single institution.

PATIENT POPULATION

Thirty-four patients with SGC who had undergone excision with 5-mm surgical margins and paraffin section pathologic analysis. Observational Procedures: The following were considered potential risk factors for local recurrence/metastasis of SGC: patient's sex, patient's age, initial diagnosis at other clinics, topical treatments at other clinics, interval between appearance of symptoms and referral to our institution, tumor location, tumor origin, tumor presentation pattern, T category, tumor size, presence/or absence of pagetoid spread, tumor differentiation, mitosis grade, growth pattern. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the actual risk factors.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Risk factors for local recurrence or metastasis of SGC after wide excision with paraffin section control.

RESULTS

Involvement of both upper and lower eyelids, topical treatments at other clinics, multicentric origin, diffuse pattern, stage T3a, large tumor size, and a nonlobular pattern significantly influenced local recurrence/metastasis (P < .050). Pagetoid spread tended to affect local recurrence/metastasis (P = .052). The other items did not significantly influence local recurrence/metastasis (P > .050).

CONCLUSIONS

This study identified risk factors for local recurrence or metastasis of SGC after wide excision with paraffin section pathologic analysis. The results of this study will be helpful to surgeons when planning additional management, such as map biopsy or adjuvant treatment.

Perforin expression in eyelid sebaceous carcinomas: a useful and specific immunomarker for the differential diagnosis of eyelid carcinomas

PURPOSE

Eyelid sebaceous carcinoma (SC) remains a common diagnostic pitfall for both the clinician and histopathologist. The aim of this study was to describe perforin as a new marker in the immunohistochemistry panel for SC.

METHODS

A total of 29 cases were retrieved from the Pathology archives, including 11 sebaceous neoplasms (nine SC; two sebaceomas), 10 squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) and eight basal cell carcinomas (BCC). These were stained using the monoclonal antibody for perforin, epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), Ber-EP4 and adipophilin (ADP). Sensitivity and specificity of perforin as an immunohistologic marker for sebaceous tumours were compared to EMA, ADP and Ber-EP4.

RESULTS

Perforin stained strongly 9/11 (81%) of the sebaceous neoplasms (SN), 7/9 SC and 2/2 of sebaceomas (2/2), similar to ADP. Epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) stained 8/9 SC and was negative (1/2) or only very weakly expressed (1/2) in sebaceomas. The specificity of perforin in identifying SN versus SCC and BCC was 100% (95% CI 69-100), while EMA specificity in identifying SN varied according the comparison group (SCC: 50%, 95% CI 18-81, 100% (95% CI 63-100). Perforin better highlighted the intraepithelial spread of SC than EMA. Ber-EP4 was strongly expressed in six of nine SC, but was consistently negative in sebaceomas.

CONCLUSIONS

The expression pattern of perforin in sebaceous neoplasms enables us to recommend the use of perforin as a new immunohistochemical marker for sebaceous neoplasms.