Sentinel node biopsy and frozen section procedure in signet ring cell carcinoma of the eyelid and orbit

Signet-Ring Cell/Histiocytoid Carcinoma: Report of Two Cases and Systematic Review of the Literature on the Epidemiology, Clinical Characteristics, and Pathological and Molecular Findings

ABSTRACT

Signet-ring cell/histiocytoid carcinoma (SRCHC) is a rare appendageal tumor, mainly considering eyelids, more rarely axillae. This article describes 2 novel SRCHC cases of 71- and 66-year-old men and systematically reviews the literature on SRCHC. Of all cases reported in the literature, 73 (91.2%) were men and 7 (8.8%) were women. The median age at diagnosis was 71 years. Skin changes were located in the eyelids (68%) and axillae (32%). In all tested cases, SRCHC cells expressed CK7, CKAE1/AE3, EMA, CAM5.2, and AR and PIK3CA mutations. Future research should determine whether AR/PIK3CA-targeted therapies influence patients' survival.

Signet-ring cell/histiocytoid carcinoma of the axilla: a clinicopathological and genetic analysis of 11 cases, review of the literature, and comparison with potentially related tumours

AIMS

The aim of this study was to determine the clinicopathological and genetic characteristics of axillary signet-ring cell/histiocytoid carcinoma (SRCHC) and the relationship between axillary SRCHC, eyelid SRCHC, and conventional apocrine carcinoma (AC).

METHODS AND RESULTS

Eleven cases of axillary SRCHC, four cases of eyelid SRCHC, eight cases of axillary AC and five cases of invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) were retrieved. Additionally, 14 axillary and 43 eyelid SRCHC cases from the literature were reviewed. Male predominance was prominent for axillary SRCHC (24:1) and eyelid SRCHC (42:5). Axillary SRCHC formed a circumscribed plaque or nodule, unlike eyelid SRCHC. Lymph node metastasis was predominantly seen in axillary SRCHC cases (72%, 18/25), but not in eyelid SRCHC cases (19%, 9/47). Axillary SRCHC and eyelid SRCHC were histopathologically similar and showed rare tubular formations. Immunoexpression of cytokeratin 7, cytokeratin 19, mucin 1, mucin 5AC, BerEP4 and androgen receptor was seen in all tested cases of the four diseases. Oestrogen and progesterone receptors were negative in both types of SRCHC and AC, but were strongly positive in ILCs. Complete loss of E-cadherin expression was seen in approximately one-quarter of both types of SRCHC and in all ILCs. PIK3CA mutations were detected in all three sequenced cases (two axillary SRCHCs and one eyelid SRCHC).

CONCLUSION

The histopathological, immunohistochemical and genetic findings suggest that both types of SRCHC are phenotypic variants of AC, although there are differences in sex, macroscopic findings and the frequency of lymph node metastasis among the three. In contrast, ILC differs from the other three tumour types.

Diagnostic and treatment challenges of a case of primary cutaneous signet-ring cell/histiocytoid carcinoma of the eyelid

Background

Primary cutaneous signet-ring cell/histiocytoid carcinoma of the eyelid is an extremely rare but aggressive neoplasm diagnosed primarily in elderly men. Until now there are 32 published cases of signet-ring cell carcinoma or histiocytoid carcinoma of the eyelid. We report the clinical, radiographic and histological features of the 33rd reported case of PCSRCC in the eyelid of a 73-year-old male, and review diagnostic and treatment challenges of this rare entity.

Case presentation

Our case highlights a 73-year-old male who was referred for surgical correction of right eye ptosis that was present for 2 years. Upon assessment, he was noted to have an upper lateral orbital rim mass. Computed tomography (CT) noted ill-defined soft tissue thickening anterior to the right globe, predominantly pre-septal but with slight post-septal extension. The pathology revealed diffusely and deeply infiltrating tumour cells extending through the dermis, subcutis, orbicularis muscle bundles and nerve fibers; the tumour cells were noted to have a monotonous histiocytoid appearance with foamy granular eosinophilic cytoplasm. At high magnification, intracytoplasmic vacuoles and occasional intermixed signet ring cells were identified. Immunohistochemical staining revealed the tumour cells to be AE1/AE3, CK7, GCDFP-15, E-cadherin, androgen receptor stain and GATA3 positive. Final pathology report confirmed the diagnosis of primary cutaneous signet-ring cell/histiocytoid carcinoma. Further imaging failed to identify a distant primary malignancy or metastatic disease. The decision was made to attempt surgical excision of the tumor. After the bulk of the grossly apparent tumor was removed, intraoperative frozen sections were sent. Superficial biopsies of the right periorbital region were performed, which revealed extension significantly further than the gross disease. Thereafter, the patient underwent a wide orbital exenteration with reconstruction using a temporary split-thickness skin graft. Due to positive margins on final permanent sections, the patient underwent further wide resection with free muscle-skin flap reconstruction followed by adjuvant radiation treatment.

Conclusion

Our case represents the 33rd case of primary signet-ring cell/histiocytoid carcinoma of the eyelid in a 73-year-old male, the first documented case with GATA3 positivity and the second documented case with androgen receptor stain positivity.

Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy for Eyelid and Conjunctival Malignancy: A Report by the American Academy of Ophthalmology

PURPOSE

To determine the efficacy and safety of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in the management of eyelid and conjunctival malignancy.

METHODS

A literature search was performed in August 2019 and January 2020 for articles published in English in the PubMed and Cochrane Library databases. This search yielded 151 articles that were reviewed for relevancy, of which 27 were deemed to have met the inclusion criteria for this assessment. The data from these articles were abstracted and the articles were rated for strength of evidence by the panel methodologist.

RESULTS

All 27 studies were rated level III, and a total of 197 SLNBs were reported. Diagnoses included conjunctival and eyelid cutaneous melanoma (85 and 42 patients, respectively), sebaceous gland carcinoma (35 patients), squamous cell carcinoma (26 patients), Merkel cell carcinoma (6 patients), pigmented epithelioid melanocytoid tumor (1 patient), mucoepidermoid carcinoma (1 patient), and signet ring carcinoma (1 patient). Tracer was found in regional lymph nodes in 100% of patients in 21 of 27 articles and in 191 of 197 patients overall. The number of lymph nodes removed ranged from 1 to 16, with most ranging from 1 to 5. Tumor-positive lymph nodes were found in 33 of 197 patients (16.8%), prompting recommendations for adjuvant treatments. Survival data were reported for 16 of these patients, with follow-up periods ranging from 3 to 36 months (average, 12.7 months). Fourteen of 16 patients received adjuvant treatments. Nine were alive and well, 1 was alive with metastases, and 6 had died of metastatic disease (including 2 patients who declined additional treatment). False-negative SLNB results were reported in 5 articles involving 9 of 197 procedures (4.6%). Complications were documented in 7 of 27 articles and included transient facial nerve weakness, persistent blue dye staining of the conjunctiva, neck hematoma, and suture abscess.

CONCLUSIONS

Sentinel lymph node biopsy is a promising procedure in patients with eyelid and conjunctival malignancy, and it is useful in identifying sentinel lymph nodes. However, at present, insufficient evidence exists showing that SLNB improves patient outcomes and survival. Recognition of microscopic metastatic disease may prove beneficial in staging and guiding adjuvant therapy.

Periocular Histiocytoid Carcinoma: Potential Diagnostic Challenges

Cutaneous histiocytoid carcinoma can occur as a primary tumor of the periocular region. Morphologically similar histiocytoid carcinomas arising as primary tumors of the breast have a predilection for orbital metastases. They can occasionally contain regions with prominent vacuolated cytoplasm and minimal nuclear atypia, which mimic benign histiocytic lesions. Differentiating nonneoplastic, primary neoplastic, and metastatic histiocytoid lesions involving the periorbita can be challenging for both the clinician and the pathologist, and this distinction has management implications. Herein, we present 3 cases to illustrate the challenges of diagnosing periocular histiocytoid carcinoma.