Pagetoid dyskeratosis of the cervix: an incidental histologic finding in uterine prolapse

Pagetoid Dyskeratosis of the Male Genitalia: Case Report and Review

Pagetoid dyskeratosis is a benign incidental pathologic finding that has been reported in many distinct skin lesions on various locations of the body. A man who had pagetoid dyskeratosis within lesions of the penile shaft is described and similar cases of pagetoid dyskeratosis in lesions of the male genitalia are reviewed. The patient was a 26-year-old healthy man who developed several asymptomatic penile papules that were refractory to topical imiquimod 5% cream and cryotherapy. Snip biopsies were performed and microscopic examination revealed pagetoid dyskeratosis. PubMed was searched for the following terms: cell, clear, dyskeratosis, genitalia, pagetoid, penile, penis, prepuce, scrotum, and shaft. The papers containing these terms and their references were reviewed. Pagetoid dyskeratosis has been observed in lesions on the prepuce and scrotum; this case report now expands the distribution of this finding to the penile shaft. Clinicians and pathologists should be aware of this intriguing potential incidental finding within skin lesions of the male genitalia.

Pagetoid dyskeratosis in dermatopathology

Pagetoid dyskeratosis (PD) is an incidental pathologic finding that appears in several skin conditions. In an attempt to better understand PD and its incidence in dermatopathology, the authors have analyzed all skin biopsies performed over the period of 1 year in our Department of Dermatology and examined their clinical and dermatopathological variables. The criteria used for a keratinocyte to be considered a PD cell were: (1) a size larger than normal, (2) the presence of pycnotic nucleus, (3) a clear halo surrounding the nucleus, and (4) a pale eosinophilic cytoplasm. A total of 3565 biopsies were analyzed, PD cells being found in 80 cases (2.24%). Melanocytic nevi were the commonest skin lesions in which PD was observed, followed by soft fibromas, angiofibromas, and acrochordons. Most lesions were located on the head, neck, and trunk. Most cases displayed fewer than 15 PD cells per field. PD cells were normally located in the mid epidermis (frequently in clusters). The biopsies usually revealed indirect signs of rubbing, although PD cells were also found in places where rubbing was unlikely. Here, the authors report the largest series of PD analyzed to date, expanding our understanding of this striking pathological observation.

Proliferating pagetoid dyskeratosis: a new variant of pagetoid dyskeratosis associated with Bowen disease

Pagetoid dyskeratosis refers to a characteristic pathologic aspect of keratinocytes of the epidermis and other stratified epithelia, that have a size larger than normal, a pale cytoplasm and a pycnotic nucleus surrounded by a clear halo. This aspect has been reported, often as an incidental finding, in benign conditions. We observed a case of Bowen disease featuring pagetoid dyskeratosis remarkable because the cells concerned were in mitosis, a finding so far unreported. We call this aspect "proliferating pagetoid dyskeratosis" to differentiate it from the usual pagetoid dyskeratosis and to highlight its association with mitotic nuclei. The significance of this rare finding warrants further study.

Friction-induced pagetoid dyskeratosis

BACKGROUND

Pagetoid dyskeratosis (PD) is characterized by pale cells within the epidermis resembling those of Paget disease. These cells have been seen as an incidental finding in a variety of benign papules most commonly located in intertriginous areas. The lesion is considered a reactive process in which a small proportion of the normal population of keratinocytes is altered. Among the triggers for this lesion, friction has been suggested; however, a direct cause-and-effect relationship has not yet been reported.

RESULTS

We confirmed the relationship between PD and friction in a biopsy taken from a 19-year-old woman who presented with clinical features indicating exogenously induced bullae and erosions and consented to a biopsy of a lesion immediately after its induction, demonstrating combined features of PD and friction bulla.

Lesions of anogenital mammary-like glands: an update

Long considered to be ectopic breast tissue representing the caudal remnants of the milk ridges, anogenital mammary-like glands are nowadays thought to represent a normal constituent of the anogenital area. Lesions involving these glands, benign or malignant, epithelial or stromal manifest a striking similarity to their mammary counterparts. This review addresses the recent literature on lesions of anogenital mammary-like glands and our personal experience with various lesions related to these structures. Discussed are the normal anatomy and histology of these glands as well as the clinical presentation, histopathological and immunohistochemical features, molecular biological aspects, and differential diagnosis of various lesions involving anogenital mammary-like glands, including lactating adenoma, hidradenoma papilliferum, hidradenocarcinoma papilliferum, fibroadenomas, phyllodes tumor, pseudoangiomatous stromal hyperplasia, extramammary Paget disease, and other carcinomas. In addition, "nonspecific" epithelial or stromal changes some of which can be likened to similar changes occurring in a range of benign breast disease, including sclerosing adenosis, columnar cell lesions, ductal lesions and various metaplastic changes affecting epithelium and myoepithelium are discussed. Although lesions of anogenital mammary-like glands are often discussed in many dermatopathology textbooks in the context of cutaneous adnexal neoplasms we advocate that the best approach to the diagnosis of these lesions is to relate them to analogous well recognized lesions occurring in the breast, that is, through the eyes of a breast pathologist. This will enable their recognition, precise classification and should introduce greater uniformity in how they are reported in the literature so that more meaningful clinicopathological comparisons and correlations may be made.

Comparative Study of Pagetoid Dyskeratosis Between Acrochordons and Soft Fibromas

BACKGROUND

Pagetoid dyskeratosis (PD) is considered a casual finding. We can find it in some conditions, including acrochordons and soft fibromas.

OBJECTIVE

(1) to compare the presence of PD in soft fibromas and acrochordons and (2) to compare PD positive fibromas and PD negative fibromas.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We reviewed all acrochordons and soft fibromas diagnosed in the General Hospital of Lanzarote, Spain, between January 2001 and December 2002. We assessed the presence of PD, size, acanthosis, basal pigmentation, and the presence of pseudohorn cysts.

RESULTS

Three hundred sixty one acrochordons and 164 soft fibromas were included in this study. There were striking differences in the presence of PD, size, acanthosis, and basal pigmentation between both entities. PD positive fibromas predominated in axillas. There were no other differences between PD positive fibromas and PD negative fibromas.

CONCLUSION

Although soft fibromas and acrochordons are actually fibroepithelial polyps, including the presence of PD, there are striking differences between them. Thus, both conditions have to be considered as different entities. PD could be related to friction and moisture. PD has to be distinguished from other conditions such as Paget's disease, pagetoid melanoma, koilocytes, clear cell papulosis, among others.

Non-melanocytic lesions mimicking melanocytic lesions

Distinction between benign and malignant melanocytic lesions commonly represents a big challenge for the pathologist. Equally difficult is separating tumours with melanocytic lineage from those displaying other lines of differentiation. This is because benign and malignant melanocytic lesions are able to display a wide range of histological appearances that frequently closely mimic reactive and neoplastic lesions (benign and malignant). This applies to processes with almost any line of differentiation. Difficulties in differential diagnosis are mainly found in melanocytic lesions restricted to the dermis or those in which the junctional component is minimal. Although purely junctional melanocytic lesions less commonly pose a problem in differential diagnosis, they may be very problematic, especially in small biopsies. Immunohistochemistry is usually a very important aid in the differential diagnosis of mimics of melanocytic lesions but pitfalls often occur. This is particularly true when small samples are analysed and when close clinicopathological correlation is lacking. This review discusses the histological differential diagnosis of mimics of melanocytic lesions. These mimics are separated into those primarily presenting in the epidermis and those presenting in the dermis.

Incidental findings in uterine prolapse specimen: frequency and implications

Uterine prolapse is a benign and common condition, especially in older women. In this study, we investigated the frequency and implications of incidental findings in uteri removed for prolapse. We found a high frequency of incidental findings that was greater than previously reported and a correlation between the occurrence of leiomyomata and adenomyosis. As long as all grossly visible lesions are sampled, two routine sections were found to be sufficient to identify all significant lesions.

Pagetoid dyskeratosis of the lips

Pagetoid dyskeratosis is an incidental finding in a variety of lesions of the skin and squamous mucosa. The lesion is considered a selective keratinocytic response in which a small part of the normal population of keratinocytes is induced to proliferate in response to friction. As far as we know, pagetoid dyskeratosis has not been reported in the lips. In this article, we describe the location of the lesion in the lips and its incidence in a group of 90 unselected patients who underwent biopsy or were surgically treated for diverse labial lesions. Histochemical staining and immunohistochemical studies were performed in selected cases. Pagetoid dyskeratosis was found in 38 cases (42.2%) but only in 6 cases (6.7%) the lesion was conspicuous. There was no significant difference between the upper and the lower lip in terms of incidence of the lesion. Labial pagetoid dyskeratosis was more frequent in younger patients (46.7 +/- 25.0 versus 58.5 +/- 20.5; p < 0.05) and in women (chi(2) = 3.89; p < 0.05). Pagetoid cells were more common in suprabasal location and in the labial mucosa. These cells showed positivity for high-molecular weight cytokeratin and negative reaction for low-molecular weight cytokeratin, epithelial membrane antigen, carcinoembryonic antigen, and human papilloma virus. The immunohistochemical profile is different from the surrounding keratinocytes, indicating premature keratinization. The main differential diagnoses include white sponge nevus, leukoedema, oral koilocytoses, hairy leukoplakia, pagetoid squamous cell carcinoma in situ, and extramammary Paget's disease of the oral mucosa. The morphologic features of dyskeratotic pagetoid cells are distinctive and easily recognized as an incidental finding, thus preventing confusion with other important entities including an intraepidermal tumor.

Pagetoid dyskeratosis is a frequent incidental finding in hemorrhoidal disease

BACKGROUND

Pagetoid dyskeratosis is considered a selective keratinocytic response in which a small part of the normal population of keratinocytes is induced to proliferate. Pagetoid dyskeratosis has been found incidentally in the squamous epithelium of the skin in various locations and in the ectocervix in uterine prolapse. In cases in which these pale cells are conspicuous, there is a hazard of overdiagnosis. It has been suggested that friction is the most probable inductor of the lesion. To the best of our knowledge, pagetoid cells have not been reported in surgically resected hemorrhoids.

OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN

We here describe the location of pagetoid dyskeratosis in the squamous epithelium of hemorrhoids and the incidence of this lesion in a group of 100 unselected patients surgically treated for hemorrhoidal disease. In addition to the conventional histologic method, special staining procedures and an immunohistochemical study of cytokeratins were performed in selected cases.

RESULTS

Pagetoid dyskeratosis was found in 68 cases (68%) and was a prominent finding in 22 cases (22%). The cells of pagetoid dyskeratosis were strongly positive for high-molecular weight cytokeratin. These cells showed an immunohistochemical profile that was different from that of the surrounding squamous cells and indicative of premature keratinization.

CONCLUSIONS

In hemorrhoidal disease, the cushions are susceptible to trauma as a result of prolapse. In this setting, friction may be the stimulus for the appearance of pagetoid dyskeratotic cells. These cells must be distinguished from the artifactual clear cells of the squamous epithelium, glycogen-rich cells, and koilocytes. The lesion must also be distinguished from extramammary Paget disease, pagetoid spread of carcinoma cells, pagetoid Bowen disease, and pagetoid melanoma. Pathologists should be familiar with the histologic features of pagetoid dyskeratosis in hemorrhoidectomy specimens to avoid misdiagnosis. Routine histologic study is usually adequate for recognizing this lesion.