Bilateral Nipple Enlargement as a Secondary Effect of Anabolic Drugs: A Histopathological Mimicker of Smooth Muscle Hamartoma.

Smooth muscle hamartoma are usually solitary and congenital, may affect the genital area and nipples. Histopathologically, they are characterized by the presence of mature smooth muscle bundles. We present a 40 year-old male with bilateral nipple enlargement excised with clinical suspicion of bilateral leiomyoma. Skin biopsy shows mature, irregularly arranged smooth muscle bundles and lactiferous ducts between them. Immunohistochemistry is positive for smooth muscle actin, desmin and fumarase, but negative for estrogen and progestogen receptors. The presence of lactiferous ducts excludes bilateral leiomyomas. Even when, histopathologically, this can be interpreted as the nipple-type of muscular hamartoma of the breast, clinical history favors an anabolic drug-induced lesion. Bodybuilders present gynecomastia and nipple enlargement as frequent problems, but we have not found any histopathological description of these nipple lesions. We consider that dermatologists should be aware of the presence of them and dermatopathologists should know their histopathological features to avoid misdiagnosis as neoplasms.

Dermoscopy of melanocytic lesions in patients affected by oculocutaneous albinism: a case series.

BACKGROUND: Although the majority of skin cancers in albino patients consists of squamous and basal cell carcinomas, malignant melanomas have also been described, albeit less frequently. OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to evaluate melanocytic lesions in albino patients to look for any recurrent dermoscopic pattern. METHODS: We enrolled 12 consecutive albino patients presenting to our department and examined each patient for the presence of melanocytic nevi with the unaided eye and then with dermoscopy. Melanocytic lesions with suspicious clinical or dermoscopic features were excised and histopathologically evaluated. RESULTS: Analysis of the recorded images permitted us to find two main dermoscopic patterns in this group of patients. The first one was represented by a homogeneous light-brown yellowish pattern associated with comma-like and dotted vessels; the second one consisted of a classical brown reticular pattern frequently associated with central depigmentation and with comma-like vessels. Moreover, based on some atypical dermoscopic features, in 2 patients we excised 3 melanomas in situ (in the same patient) and a thick melanoma (3.2 mm). CONCLUSIONS: Dermoscopy may represent a useful tool for the evaluation of melanocytic lesions in albino patients, permitting an early diagnosis of melanoma.

Morphological and molecular characteristics of nested melanoma of the elderly (evolved lentiginous melanoma).

We identified a group of melanocytic lesions with an architectural pattern very similar to that of a junctional nevus: cells mostly grouped in distinct nests, more or less of the same size and shape, and regularly distributed along the dermoepidermal junction. In contrast with these nevus-like features, these neoplasms display additional details which are incompatible with a diagnosis of junctional nevus. These include areas of lentiginous array with focal pagetoid spread of melanocytes above the junction; marked cytological atypia, such as nuclear enlargement, hyperchromasia, nuclear membrane thickening and with a mild degree of cellular pleomorphism. Moreover, these lesions mostly developed on severely sun-damaged skin of old patients. Using a four-probe fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) assay targeting RREB1, MYB, Cep6, and CCND1, we found that seven of the eight propositus cases showed chromosomal aberrations consistent with the standardized FISH diagnostic criteria for melanoma. Instead, the five junctional nevi that served as controls were negative in this test. These findings underline the utility of correlating clinical-pathological observations with FISH analysis for diagnosing correctly as melanoma these malignant neoplasms, which closely simulate a junctional nevus.

A suspected squamous cell carcinoma in a renal transplant recipient revealing a rare cutaneous phaeohyphomycosis by Alternaria infectoria.

BACKGROUND: Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin is the most common neoplasm after organ transplantation. In addition, fungal infections are increasingly described in immunocompromised patients, such as kidney recipients. METHOD AND RESULTS: We report a case of a 64-year-old woman with a renal transplant presenting with 6-month-old skin lesions. In other centers, she had undergone previous biopsies, the results of which were suggestive of squamous cell carcinoma and aspecific inflammation. Therefore, she came to our center for surgical excision. Only our clinical experience and a detailed clinical history allowed us to doubt previous diagnoses and perform further examinations. Our investigation revealed an extremely rare fungus infection: phaeohyphomycosis by Alternaria infectoria. It was successfully treated with oral terbinafine until a complete regression of the lesions was achieved. At a 16-month follow-up visit, no recurrence of the skin lesion was observed. CONCLUSION: Despite a difficult diagnosis and rare occurrence, physicians and surgeons should be aware of infection with this emerging fungus in immunocompromised patients.

Polypoid Spitz nevus: two cases evaluated with genetic technique, prolonged follow up, and sentinel lymph node biopsy.

Polypoid Spitz nevus represents a spitzoid melanocytic neoplasm that frequently has worrying and challenging histopathological details. Distinction from polypoid melanoma may not be straightforward. Two cases of polypoid Spitz nevus with striking histopathological features were studied. One case had prolonged follow up (Case 1) and one patient had undergone sentinel lymph node biopsy (Case 2), and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis was also completed (both cases). Follow up and genetic analysis of three control cases of polypoid melanoma is also presented. Our clinical and genetic results suggest that both the polypoid Spitz nevi were benign. The patients are alive with no evidence of disease. FISH analysis did not show abnormalities with probes tested. This is in sharp contrast with the control cases of polypoid melanoma, wherein genomic alterations were detectable. Our data indicate that the two polypoid lesions presented here are most probably benign, despite their worrying histopathological features. More cases with long-term follow up and greater numbers of DNA probes are necessary to extend this conclusion to other ambiguous melanocytic tumors.

Wound healing process in post-bariatric patients: an experimental evaluation.

Bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment for morbid obesity. Despite this, side effects are recorded. One of them is redundant skin hanging from the patients' body causing both aesthetical and functional deformities. They can only be corrected with body contouring surgery, whose wound complication rate is very high in previously obese population. Despite several hypotheses, an adequate explanation is still awaited. The aim of our study was to evaluate the wound healing process in post-bariatric patients. Seven patients, six women and one man, were enrolled. They all were nonsmokers and nondiabetic. They all underwent biliopancreatic diversion (BPD). After 36 months, abdominoplasty was performed. Biochemical parameters before and after bariatric surgery were evaluated. The content of total protein and hydroxyproline was assessed in multiple scar biopsies before and after BPD. Abdominoplasty horizontal scar skin samples were subjected to histological evaluation with Weigert-Van Gieson stain for elastic fibers and connectivum. All biochemical parameters analyzed were reduced post-BPD compared to the preoperative period. Tissue proteins were significantly reduced after BPD both in their totality and as hydroxyproline and hydroxyproline/total tissue protein. Histological evaluation revealed abnormal dermal elastic and collagen fibers. The cause of aberrant healing in massive weight loss body contouring is likely multifactorial. A relationship between nutritional state, wound collagen accumulation, and elastic fiber content seems to be only partially involved. The high mechanical stress of tissues before BPD probably influences the wound healing process after BPD.

Updated review of the pathogenesis and management of Merkel cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare, aggressive, malignant cutaneous tumor of the elderly or immunosuppressed individuals that usually appears on sun-exposed areas of the body. Its pathogenesis is still debated, and, currently, no standardized treatment exists. OBJECTIVE: To provide a current updated review of the most relevant data concerning the pathogenesis and management of Merkel cell carcinoma. METHODS: Using relevant MeSH terms, we performed a review of the literature on these subjects from 1980 to June 2009. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The current management of Merkel cell carcinoma is based on surgical excision as the majority of patients present with localized disease, whereas up to 30% have regional lymph node metastases. In these cases, the best outcome is achieved with multidisciplinary management that includes radiotherapy. Chemotherapy is part of the treatment in advanced cases and is mandatory for distant metastatis. Given that a recent work showed the presence of a previously unknown polyomavirus, which the authors called Merkel cell polyomavirus, the therapeutical approach to Merkel cell carcinoma could be reconsidered in the future.

Eccrine syringofibroadenoma radiation treatment of an unusual presentation.

Benign skin diseases have seldom been treated with radiotherapy, unless resistant to other treatments. Eccrine syringofibroadenoma (ESFA) is a rare benign eccrine tumor. ESFA very rarely presents bilateral lesions, and seldom a nonsurgical treatment has been proposed. An exceptional case of bilateral ESFA of the foot is presented; radiotherapy was effective in treating both lesions with good cosmetic results.

Interstitial granulomatous dermatitis in rheumatoid arthritis responsive to etanercept.

Interstitial granulomatous dermatitis (IGD) is a rare dermatological condition presenting as erythematous plaques. It may be associated with drug-related adverse reactions and autoimmune diseases. Recent cases of IGD have been reported in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients treated with biologic agents. We report a case of RA patient with persistent erythematous plaques who did not respond to traditional disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs with a persistent skin condition of erythematous plaque eruptions. A biopsy showed a homogeneous inflammatory infiltrate in the deep dermis composed of large epithelioid histiocytes with occasional granulocytes, leading us to consider a diagnosis of IGD. The cutaneous lesions disappeared after a 3-month treatment with the tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) inhibitor etanercept. Anti-TNF-alpha agents can antagonise the multiple effects of TNF-alpha on the immune system, effects that are required for the continued maintenance of granulomatous structure, and offer a therapeutic strategy in the treatment of IGD associated with arthritis.

Plantar melanoma that mimics melanocytic nevi: a report of 4 cases with lymph node metastases and with review of positive and negative controls.

We report 4 cases of melanoma localized on the sole with some striking histological similarities to the compound nevi. One case showed inguinal lymph node metastases after a diagnosis of compound nevus made 5 years earlier. The other 3 cases were sent to us in consultation as suspected plantar lesions; a diagnosis of melanoma mimicking compound nevus was proposed: the sentinel lymph node technique was accordingly performed and resulted positive. These 4 index cases were compared with 26 cases of ordinary plantar melanoma and with 117 cases of benign compound plantar nevi. Histologically, the similarity of areas of these 4 cases of plantar melanoma to compound plantar nevi (namely Miescher, Clark, or acral lentiginous nevus) is so close that it may prove misleading in the diagnostic pathway. In such cases, an erroneous diagnosis of benign lesion may be made. The correct diagnosis of melanoma can, however, be done by combining the clinical and pathological findings. In fact, this deceptive form of melanoma mimicking a compound nevus is characterized by patients' advanced age (>45 years), large lateral diameters (>10 mm), and significant depth of the lesion (>1 mm). In our 4 cases, such features were combined with one or more of the following histological clues: lentiginous (ie, continuous) proliferation of enlarged and hyperchromatic melanocytes aligned in single units at the dermoepidermal junction; extensive eccrine duct melanocytic infiltration; dermal melanocytes with slight nuclear enlargement, nuclear membrane thickening and folding, and conspicuous central nucleoli; and cellular pleomorphism of the epidermal and dermal component. Moreover, mitotic figures were an inconstant but decisive indication of malignancy. In conclusion, a small group of plantar melanoma has striking similarities with compound nevi. Only the correlation of clinical data (old age of the patient and large size of the lesion) with subtle architectural and cytological alterations (depth of the lesion, lentiginous melanocytic epidermal and eccrine proliferation, and cellular alteration and mitoses) allows a correct diagnosis.

Immunohistochemical expression of the glucose transporters Glut-1 and Glut-3 in human malignant melanomas and benign melanocytic lesions.

BACKGROUND: Reported data indicate that cancer cells have increased rates of glucose metabolism, as determined by 18FDG-PET imaging in patients with malignancies. The results of many studies have demonstrated that the expression of glucose transporters, especially Glut-1, is increased in a variety of malignancies. This study was undertaken to assess the differential expression of Glut-1 and Glut-3 by benign and malignant melanocytic lesions. METHODS: Immunohistochemical staining for Glut-1 and Glut-3 was performed on paraffin-embedded tissue sections prepared from melanocytic nevi (12 cases), Spitz nevi (12 cases) and primary cutaneous malignant melanomas (20 cases). RESULTS: We observed immunoreactivity for Glut-1 in all melanocytic nevi, 9 of the 12 Spitz nevi and in 9 of the 20 malignant melanomas, whereas Glut-3 was expressed in all the melanocytic lesions, both benign and malignant. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that the glucose transporters Glut-1 and Glut-3 play a role in the glucose metabolism of melanocytic cells. Glut-1 was present in the majority of benign nevi, whereas its expression was downregulated in 55% of malignant melanomas. Our results suggest that glucose transporter Glut-1 expression can significantly discriminate between human malignant melanoma and benign melanocytic nevi, and support the idea that additional mechanisms other than Glut-1 may contribute to glucose uptake in melanomas.