Immunohistochemically Detectable Duct‐like Structures in Benign and Malignant Eccrine Poromas: CEA and Involucrin Immunostaining

Abstract

The duct-like structures present in 7 cases of benign and malignant eccrine poroma were examined by immunohistochemical staining for carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), involucrin, and S-100 protein. The demonstration of CEA and involucrin was helpful in the recognition of these structures. The overt immunopositivity precedes morphological evidence for duct formation. On the basis of the CEA immunostaining, the duct-like structures were divided into 4 types: 1) mature acrosyringeal structure, 2) cystic luminal structure lined by elongated cells, 3) immature acrosyringeal structure, and 4) vacuole- or dot-like potential lumen in a single cell. Involucrine was observed in the lining cells of 1) and 2). None of the 4 types showed positive reactivity for S-100 protein, suggesting the irrelevance of these structures to the secretory element of sweat gland. The polymorphism of the ductal formation tended to be more remarkably observed in malignant eccrine poromas than in the cases of benign eccrine poroma and poroepithelioma tested.

CD 15 Expression in a Malignant Eccrine Poroma

“…To the Editor: In a recent paper which appeared in the Journal of Dermatology, Tokura et al (1) report an excellent immunohistochemical study demonstrating CEA and involucrin positivity in malignant eccrine poromas and stressing the importance of these markers in the recognition of duct-like structures in an early phase. We studied a typical case of malignant eccrine poroma with a complete immunohistochemical panel and we agree with the pattern reported by Tokura et al (1) for CEA immunostaining. However, we also observed that CD 15 (Leu Ml) expression by tumor cells in our case was mainly distributed around the cystic spaces and duct-like structures.…”

Malignant eccrine poroma in an unusual location1

“…Tokura et al . reported that polymorphism of the ductal formation tended to be more remarkably observed in MEPs than in benign EP and poroepithelioma by immunohistochemical staining for carcinoembryogenic antigen (CEA), involucrin and S‐100 protein 15 . On the contrary, Huet et al .…”

A Case of Cystic Dermal Duct Tumor Corresponding to Poroid Hidradenoma

“…CEA was demonstrated in the cells adjacent to a cystic space in our case. Tokura et al (12) detected large cystic luminal spaces that were delineated by CEA-positive elongated cells in benign and malignant eccrine poromas. Lopez (13) noted that CEA and CD 15 may be useful markers for demonstrating abortive lumina and cyst formation in malignant eccrine poromas.…”