Clinical and pathological features of Merkel cell carcinoma: A 4-year follow-up observational retrospective study in Spain.

BACKGROUND: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a malignant skin cancer with a 5-year survival rate of approximately 50%. Knowledge of MCC has increased in recent years mostly due to improved diagnosis techniques. In Spain there is lack of information regarding the incidence and tumour characteristics, and the treatment approaches are not standardised. The objective of this study was to provide information of the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of MCC patients in Spain. METHODS: Retrospective, observational study involving 192 patients from 25 Spanish hospitals. Evaluated variables included overall survival and incidence rate of Merkel cell polyomavirus, in patients diagnosed from 2012 to 2016. RESULTS: The Spanish incidence rate was estimated 0.32/100,000 inhabitants/year, with variations according to geographical regions, being slightly higher in areas with greater sunlight exposure. In total, 61.5% of tumours showed expansive growth (progressive growth of the tumour), 78.6% showed localisation in UV-exposed skin. 97.4% of patients were diagnosed by excisional biopsy. Surgery was the first line treatment in 96.6% of patients, radiotherapy in 24.6%, and chemotherapy in 6.3%. These treatments were not mutually exclusive. Median overall survival was 38.3 months (78.4% at 12 months and 60% at 24 months). MCPyV was present in 33.8% of patients. CONCLUSION: The incidence of MCC in Spain is one of the highest in Europe, with a slight predominance in men. The sample has shown that a biopsy is available for diagnosis in most cases. Moreover, the treatment is surgical when the tumour is localized and is associated with lymphadenectomy, and/or it is radiotherapy if widespread.

Hamartomas and midline anomalies in association with infantile hemangiomas, PHACE, and LUMBAR syndromes.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: The pathogenesis of infantile hemangiomas (IH), PHACE, and LUMBAR syndromes remains unknown. We aim to describe histopathologic features of midline anomalies associated with IH, including patients with PHACE and LUMBAR syndromes. METHODS: A multicenter retrospective chart review was performed to identify patients with IH, PHACE, and LUMBAR syndrome with histopathologic specimens from sternal or midline anomalies. A total of 18 midline lesions from 13 patients were included. Out of 18, 14 midline lesions underwent both histopathologic and clinical review. Three hamartoma-like chin plaques and one supraumbilical raphe underwent only clinical review. RESULTS: All 13 patients had midline lesions and IH. Histopathologic diagnoses were as follows: rhabdomyomatous mesenchymal hamartoma (3), folliculosebaceous cystic hamartoma (1), fibroepithelial polyp (1), verrucous epidermal hyperplasia with vascular proliferation and fibroplasia (1), congenital midline cervical cleft (1), pericardium with fibrosis (1), fibrous components with increased collagen (1), atrophic skin/membrane (3), angiolipomatous mass with neural components (1), and lipomatous mass (1). Due to the retrospective nature of this study, it was not possible to obtain pathology slides for all midline lesions that had previously been biopsied or resected. We show clinically and histopathologically a new association between PHACE syndrome and rhabdomyomatous mesenchymal hamartoma (RMH), in addition to demonstrating the association between PHACE syndrome and chin hamartomas. We also display histopathologic findings seen in midline lesions resected from LUMBAR patients. CONCLUSION: Rhabdomyomatous mesenchymal hamartoma is thought to be related to aberrations of mesenchymal cells during development; therefore, this may provide clues to the pathogenesis of IH and related syndromes.

Cutaneous fibrolipomatous hamartoma: Report of 2 cases with retrocalcaneal location.

Precalcaneal congenital fibrolipomatous hamartoma is an underreported benign entity that has been described in the literature under different names. We present two cases of unilateral fibrolipomatous hamartoma (FLH) appearing in a unique location: on the posterior aspect of the foot overlying the heel. We propose the term "FLH of the skin" as a more inclusive and less confusing term for this condition, thus allowing distinction with FLH arising from neural tissue. High-frequency ultrasonography appears to be a useful diagnostic tool that may avoid unnecessary biopsies for this condition.

Prevalence of abnormal anal cytology and high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions among a cohort of HIV-infected men who have sex with men.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of anal cancer among HIV-infected patients is higher than that in other populations. Anal high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions are considered precursors to invasive squamous-cell carcinomas and are strongly associated to high-risk human papillomavirus infection. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of anal high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions through screening based on cytology and high-resolution anoscopy with biopsy in a cohort of HIV-infected men who have sex with men. DESIGN: This investigation is an observational cross-sectional cohort study. SETTING: The study was conducted in the HIV unit of a tertiary hospital in Spain. PATIENTS: Three hundred HIV-infected men who have sex with men participated. Physical examination led to a diagnosis of perianal squamous-cell carcinoma and high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions in 2 patients who were then excluded. INTERVENTIONS: Anal liquid cytology was performed. Patients with cytological abnormalities underwent high-resolution anoscopy and biopsy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The primary outcome measured was biopsy-proven high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions. RESULTS: The median age was 41 ± 10.5 years. The mean and nadir CD4 cell counts were 651 ± 205 cells/mm(3) (interquartile range, 438-800) and 273 ± 205 cells/mm(3) (interquartile range, 131-362). High-risk human papillomavirus was detected in 80.9% of patients, and human papillomavirus 16 was detected in 35.9% of patients. The mean number of human papillomavirus genotypes was 4.6 ± 2.9 (CI, 2-6). Anal cytology was abnormal in 40.9% of patients (n = 122/298; interquartile range, 35.4%-46.6%). High-resolution anoscopy and biopsies were performed in 119 patients. The results of histological analyses were as follows: normal, 7.7% (n = 23); condyloma, 4.3% (n = 13); anal intraepithelial neoplasia 1, 5.7% (n = 17); anal intraepithelial neoplasia 2, 14% (n = 42); and anal intraepithelial neoplasia 3, 8% (n = 24). The overall prevalence of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions among patients with abnormal cytology was 54% (95% CI, 45.1%-62.8%). A diagnosis of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions was associated with human papillomavirus 16 and human papillomavirus 51 infection, and with detection of a higher number of human papillomavirus genotypes. LIMITATIONS: High-resolution anoscopy was only performed in patients with abnormal cytology. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of high-risk human papillomavirus infection and high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions is high in our cohort. Physical examination enabled straightforward diagnosis of perianal high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions and squamous-cell carcinoma in 2 patients.

Cutaneous graft versus host disease in pediatric multivisceral transplantation.

Multivisceral transplantation (MvTx) is the concurrent transplantation of the stomach, pancreaticoduodenal complex, and intestine, with or without the liver. Its use is increasing worldwide as it has been considered as a therapy for patients with functional disturbance of several organs. Graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) has been a relevant clinical problem in MvTx ever since the procedure was first performed, but little has been reported about its specific cutaneous features. Our study included all pediatric patients with clinical and histopathologic evidence of cutaneous GvHD who received MvTx between October 1999 and December 2010 in University Hospital La Paz. Seventeen children underwent MvTx at our center during this period of time. Five patients developed cutaneous GvHD (29.4%). The median onset was 45.2 days after transplantation. Acute cutaneous GvHD, consisting of symmetrical maculopapular exanthema with prominent acral erythema and accentuated lesions on the face and pinnae, was clinically suspected and pathologically confirmed in four patients (80%). Three children (60%) experienced disease progression to a formation and a positive Nikolsky sign. Only one girl (20%) showed lichenoid GvHD. The first therapeutic approach was steroids and tacrolimus adjustment; many other drugs were used in refractory cases. Three of the five patients (60%) died with concomitant GvHD, the immediate cause of death being another comorbid disease. Knowledge of the features of cutaneous GvHD in MvTx allows clinicians early recognition and prompt therapeutic intervention that may prevent progression to higher-grade disease and improve outcomes for these patients.

Dermatoscopic characteristics of acrochordon-like basal cell carcinomas in Gorlin-Goltz syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Gorlin-Goltz syndrome (GGS) is an autosomal-dominant disease characterized by the early onset of multiple basal cell carcinomas (BCCs), among other findings. Clinically, the BCCs may appear as soft pedunculated neoplasms that can be mistaken for true acrochordons. OBJECTIVE: We sought to describe the dermatoscopic characteristics of small acrochordon-like or polypoid BCCs in a child with GGS, and to perform histopathologic correlation. METHODS: Acrochordon-like growths from a child with GGS were studied. Clinical records and digital dermatoscopic images were collected, and excision and histopathologic examination of the most representative lesions were performed. RESULTS: Some acrochordon-like lesions showed specific dermatoscopic criteria for BCC, including multiple blue-gray globules and arborizing telangiectasia. Other polypoid lesions, especially the smaller ones, exhibited characteristics that suggested BCC, such as isolated blue-gray globules, small blue-gray ovoid nests, and fine elongated telangiectases. LIMITATIONS: Conclusions are limited by the small sample size. CONCLUSION: Dermatoscopy may be a useful diagnostic tool to analyze acrochordon-like lesions in children and to facilitate early diagnosis and treatment of BCCs in patients with GGS.

[Granuloma from liquid silicone]. / Granuloma por silicona líquida.

In recent years, the demand for cosmetic interventions to augment soft tissue by injecting different substances has increased, due to their apparent innocuity. However, these procedures are not free from adverse reactions, such as the formation of foreign body granulomas, a phenomenon described in literature with most of the materials used. We report the case of a female patient with inflammatory lesions of the face, whose diagnosis was made after the histopathological study, which revealed a granuloma caused by liquid silicone.

Enfermedad de Fox-Fordyce / Fox-Fordyce disease

La enfermedad de Fox-Fordyce es un trastorno inflamatorio poco frecuente caracterizado por la aparición de pápulas pruriginosas con distribución folicular localizadas en las áreas dotadas de glándulas apocrinas. La etiopatogenia no se conoce con claridad, involucrándose la obstrucción del conducto excretor apocrino como fenómeno precoz en el proceso. Se presenta un caso de enfermedad de Fox-Fordyce, confirmado histológicamente, en una mujer de 16 años, con gran expresividad clínica (AU)