A case of histiocytoid variant eccrine sweat gland carcinoma of the orbit

Primary Signet Ring Cell/Histiocytoid Carcinoma of the Eyelid: Clinicopathologic Analysis with Evaluation of the E-Cadherin/β-Catenin Complex and Associated Genetic Alterations

Signet Ring Cell (SRC)/Histiocytoid carcinoma of the eyelid is a rare neoplasm that shares histological and immunohistochemical similarities with diffuse gastric cancer and breast lobular carcinoma. The CDH1 gene, which encodes the E-cadherin protein, is the best known gene associated with these tumors. The structural and functional integrity of E-cadherin is regulated by interconnecting molecular pathways which might participate in the development of this disease. Hence, we analyzed the protein expression in key genes in E-cadherin-related pathways associated with primary SRC/Histiocytoid carcinoma of the eyelid. SRC/Histiocytoid carcinoma diagnosed in the eyelid/orbit at MD Anderson Cancer Center from 1990 to 2016 were evaluated. Clinicopathologic findings were studied to confirm the primary site of origin. Immunohistochemical studies for the expression of E-cadherin, β-catenin, c-Myc, Cyclin D1, Src, and p53 were analyzed. Next generation sequencing for the detection of somatic mutations was performed on each tumor with matched normal tissue, examining 50 cancer-related genes. Four primary SRC/Histiocytoid carcinomas of the eyelid were diagnosed in four male patients aged 40-82 years. Immunohistochemically, two tumors with loss of E-cadherin expression had weak β-catenin and low cytoplasmic staining for Src while the other two cases with intact E-cadherin showed strong β-catenin expression and high cytoplasmic expression for Src. Cyclin D1 was focally positive in three cases. Somatic mutations in CDH1, PIK3CA, and TP53 genes were detected in two cases. Our results suggest an abnormality in the convergence of E-cadherin/β-catenin pathways which may promote tumorigenesis by inducing expression of oncogenes such as Cyclin D1 and C-Myc. Mutations in CDH1, PIK3CA, and TP53 genes could induce E-cadherin dysfunction which takes part in the development and progression of this malignancy.

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.

Sclerosing Signet Ring Cell Carcinoma of the Lacrimal Gland: A Potentially New Primary Entity

An 88-year-old man presented with diplopia, limitation of extraocular movements, and a firm palpable mass in the superolateral orbit. Biopsy revealed a sclerosing signet ring cell carcinoma with histopathologic features mimicking those of a primary signet ring cell (histiocytoid) carcinoma of the eyelid of eccrine or apocrine gland origin, a metastasis from an invasive lobular breast carcinoma or a metastatic diffuse-type gastric carcinoma. An extensive panel of immunohistochemical stains and molecular genetic analyses unequivocally failed to establish a precise diagnosis. Electron microscopy demonstrated features of a primary lacrimal gland lesion with intracytoplasmic lumens and zymogen granules typical of lacrimal secretory pyramidal cells. A thorough initial systemic work-up failed to reveal a primary visceral malignancy. Fifteen months of follow-up have failed to detect the emergence of another primary malignancy. To the best of our knowledge, a tumor with the morphology of the current lesion has not been previously described in the major or accessory lacrimal glands.

Primary Signet-Ring Cell/Histiocytoid Carcinoma of the Eyelid: A "Binocle" Presentation of the "Monocle Tumor"

Primary cutaneous signet-ring cell carcinoma is a rare and aggressive neoplasm which diffusely involves dermis and subcutis of the eyelid or axillae. Neoplastic cells show a signet-ring cell or histiocytoid morphology in variable number, and can be found intermingled among collagen bundles, sparing the epidermis. This neoplasm typically appears in the eyelids of elderly men, in the form of a painless infiltration and swelling but with no other specific clinical feature, and frequently causes diagnostic retardation and worse prognosis. Frequent involvement of both eyelids of the same eye has given it the name of monocle tumor. Only 29 cases have been described in English literature to date, of which 7 developed metastases, mainly on regional lymph nodes. The authors present a case of involvement of contralateral eyelid, which has only been described previously in 2 cases. The immunohistochemical profile of the involvement in the contralateral eye, and the absence of other metastasis, suggest that it is locally spread from the initial lesion. However the possibility of being a second primary tumor or metastasis cannot be readily ruled out.

Primary signet ring cell carcinoma of the eyelid

Primary signet ring cell carcinoma of the eyelid (PSCE) is a very rare tumour. Only a few cases having been reported to date. The majority of patients have been middle-age to elderly men. Different treatment modalities have been applied in cases of PSCE. Here, we report a case of PSCE in a man treated with orbital exenteration and radiotherapy.