Papillary adenocarcinoma in situ of the skin: report of four cases

Abstract

Although rare isolated cases of adenocarcinoma in situ of skin have been reported in the literature, adenocarcinoma in situ of skin as a concept and as a diagnostic category has not been established in the field of dermatopathology. In this work, four cases of papillary adenocarcinoma in situ of the skin are presented. In addition, the notion that lesions previously reported in the medical literature under the term of “papillary eccrine adenoma” are actually adenocarcinoma in situ is discussed.

Cutaneous papillary adenocarcinoma in situ

“…Asgari have had a different view and thought that the so-called PEA is actually cutaneous papillary AIS. 3 In the case report by Wu et al, a focus of invasive adenocarcinoma with lack of the outer myoepithelial layer was identified and this finding further supports the notion that so-called PEA is really AIS. Admittedly cutaneous AIS has not been recognized by many as a diagnostic entity yet, thus many examples of cutaneous AIS have been misinterpreted as either benign neoplasm or invasive carcinoma in the literature.…”

“…Admittedly cutaneous AIS has not been recognized by many as a diagnostic entity yet, thus many examples of cutaneous AIS have been misinterpreted as either benign neoplasm or invasive carcinoma in the literature. 3,6,7 We believe the case described by Wu et al represents such an example here.…”

Response to: Cutaneous papillary adenocarcinoma in situ

“…Obviously not. In their paper on 4 cases of what they consider AIS, Chen and Asgari recommend “simple complete but conservative excision,” which is essentially what happened to the patient we reported. So, regardless of the name such lesions are given, the end result is the same: complete excision.…”

“…There is, however, a disadvantage to calling too many entities AIS. Chen and Asgari suggest that papillary eccrine adenomas (PEA) are AIS . They present no definitive biologic or follow‐up evidence to support this claim.…”

55-Year-Old Woman With Estrogen Receptor–Positive Scalp Lesion

“…13 These derive from structures of common origin, such as apocrine and eccrine sweat glands, sebaceous glands, and hair follicles, which also may appear on the digits as well as trunk and extremities. [14][15][16][33][34] The identification is initially quite challenging, and reliance on IHC for differentiation is paramount to categorizing those as adnexal. 16 Review has suggested mean age of 63 years, more common in men than women by 2:1 ratio, and has even described an estrogen receptor-positive tumor in a male.…”