Multicentric Mucinous Adenocarcinoma in the Periorbital Region

Multicentric Mucinous Adenocarcinoma of Bilateral Eyelids

A 59-year-old female patient presented with a purple, fluid-filled lesion on her left upper eyelid that contained a solid component. Excisional biopsy revealed a diagnosis of mucinous adenocarcinoma. Extensive oncological workup was negative for a distant primary tumor or metastasis and confirmed a diagnosis of primary mucinous adenocarcinoma. Further excision and eyelid reconstruction were required. One year later, another suspicious, fluid-filled lesion was excised from the patients' left lower eyelid. Biopsy and subsequent oncological workup confirmed a mucinous adenocarcinoma in situ, a known precursor of primary mucinous adenocarcinoma. This case contributes to the limited literature reporting multicentric primary mucinous adenocarcinoma of the eyelids and suggests that there may be underlying factors that heighten a patient's risk for developing these tumors.

Adnexal neoplasms of the eye

Adnexal neoplasms of the eyelid encompass a wide variety of benign and malignant tumors of sebaceous, follicular, and sweat gland origin. Due to the specialized structures of the eyelid, these neoplasms present differently when compared with those of other locations. Although most dermatologists and ophthalmologists are familiar with the commonly reported adnexal tumors of the eyelid, such as hidrocystoma, pilomatrixoma, and sebaceous carcinoma, many other adnexal neoplasms have been reported at this unique anatomic site. Accurate and timely identification of these neoplasms is essential, as alterations of eyelid anatomy and function can have a negative impact on eye health, vision, and quality of life. We review the clinical and histopathologic features of common and rare eyelid adnexal neoplasms and discuss proposed treatment options.

Endocrine Mucin-Producing Sweat Gland Carcinoma: Emerging Evidence of Multicentric Cutaneous Origin and Occasional Concurrence With Analogous Breast Tumors

INTRODUCTION

Endocrine mucin-producing sweat gland carcinoma (EMPSGC) is a low-grade carcinoma with predilection for the eyelid. It is analogous to solid papillary carcinoma of the breast with both expressing neuroendocrine markers and the potential to progress to invasive mucinous carcinoma (IMC). Although over 80 cases of EMPSGC have been reported, few multicentric cases have been described in the literature. In this article, we report 9 cases of EMPSGC including 3 with multicentric disease.

METHODS

A computerized search was performed for EMPSGC and IMC of the eyelid from January 2000 to February 2021. Records were reviewed for age, sex, tumor location, and clinical impression.

RESULTS

Eight EMPSGC (7 associated with IMC) and 1 IMC of the eyelid were identified. Lesions were slightly more common in men (55%) than women. The mean age of presentation was 76 years (range, 59-98 years). Lesions ranged from 2.5 to 12 mm. Three cases had multicentric synchronous lesions on the skin. Histologically, these were well-circumscribed dermal tumors with solid or partially cystic nodules. Tested tumors expressed at least 1 neuroendocrine marker and were positive for CK7, ER/PR, 1 or more of GCDFP-15, mammaglobin, and GATA-3. One case had an associated IMC of the breast, and another case was associated with an intraductal papilloma of the breast in a man. There was no evidence of metastasis.

CONCLUSION

EMPSGC is a low-grade adnexal neoplasm, commonly affecting the eyelid of the elderly. Lesions often progress to IMC, metastases being exceptionally rare. EMPSGC can be bilateral and multicentric. Concurrence with breast neoplasms has been observed and deserves investigation.

Multicentric endocrine mucin-producing sweat gland carcinoma and mucinous carcinoma of the skin: A case report

Endocrine mucin-producing sweat gland carcinoma (EMPSGC) is a rare low-grade sweat gland carcinoma. EMPSGC is thought to be a precursor to mucinous carcinoma of the skin (MCS). Since the first description of EMPSGC in 1997, only a few cases have been reported, and its etiology and mechanisms remain unknown. In this report, we describe a 71-year-old Japanese woman with two isolated EMPSGC and one MCS lesion on her face. She was simultaneously diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast. She had a history of uterine cancer of unknown histopathological diagnosis 24 years previously. The presence of in situ lesions confirmed by myoepithelial cells suggested that the cutaneous lesions were primary tumors. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of multiple primary EMPSGC/MCS tumors. Additionally, this might be the first case with multiple primary carcinomas including adnexal cutaneous tumors, breast cancer, and uterine cancer, which may share the common feature of expressing female hormonal receptors. This case indicates that EMPSGC/MCS may be triggered by a hormonal receptor abnormality, perhaps because of genetic defects. A larger number of reports examining this issue may be necessary to further assess our initial observations.