Immunostaining study of cytokeratins in human hair follicle development.

BACKGROUND: The hair follicle is a unique structure, one of the most dynamic structures in mammalians, which can reproduce in every new cycle all the mechanism involved in its fetal development. Although a lot of research has been made about the human hair follicle much less has been discovered about the importance of the cytokeratins (CKs) in its development. OBJECTIVE: Study the immunohistochemical pattern of epithelial CKs during human hair follicle development. METHODS: We performed an immunohistochemical study using fresh post-mortem skin biopsies of human fetuses between 4 and 25 weeks of gestational age to study the expression of cytokeratins (CKs): CK1, CK10, CK13, CK14, CK16 and CK20 during human hair follicle fetal development. STUDY LIMITATIONS: Restrospective study with a good number of makers but with a small population. RESULTS/CONCLUSION: We found that, the CKs were expressed in an intermediate time during follicular development. The epithelial CKs (CK1, CK14, CK10, CK13) and the epithelial CKs with a proliferative character such as CK16 were expressed first, as markers of cellular maturation and follicular keratinization. At a later phase, CK20 was expressed in more developed primitive hair follicles as previously discussed in literature.

Papillary intralymphatic angioendothelioma: Dabska tumor.

Papillary intralymphatic angioendothelioma (Dabska tumor) is a rarely metastasizing lymphatic vascular neoplasm that usually affects children and young adults. The majority of these cases occur in soft tissues of extremities, and to date less than 40 cases have been described. Despite the generally indolent evolution, can be locally invasive with the potential to metastasize. We describe a case of a young woman presenting with a plantar lesion, for 9 months and histological diagnosis of Dabska tumor. This neoplasm should be considered in the differential diagnosis of vascular dermatoses, allowing early diagnosis and treatment. Long-term follow-up should be performed.

Papillary intralymphatic angioendothelioma: Dabska tumor

Abstract Papillary intralymphatic angioendothelioma (Dabska tumor) is a rarely metastasizing lymphatic vascular neoplasm that usually affects children and young adults. The majority of these cases occur in soft tissues of extremities, and to date less than 40 cases have been described. Despite the generally indolent evolution, can be locally invasive with the potential to metastasize. We describe a case of a young woman presenting with a plantar lesion, for 9 months and histological diagnosis of Dabska tumor. This neoplasm should be considered in the differential diagnosis of vascular dermatoses, allowing early diagnosis and treatment. Long-term follow-up should be performed.

Penile cancer: impact of age at diagnosis on morphology and prognosis.

PURPOSE: In order to describe epidemiological and pathological features of penile cancer in a high-risk area of Brazil. METHODS: We reviewed the experience (378 patients from 1997 to 2007) of Hospital Aristides Maltez from Salvador, Bahia-the main institution in the state which provides oncologic treatment for penile cancer in the public health system. RESULTS: The present series showed a high rate (17 %) of patients less than 40 years at the time of diagnosis. Cancer-specific death rate in this age group was 19 % (in contrast to 11 and 13 % in the 41-60 and >60 age groups). Squamous cell carcinomas in younger patients were also more likely to exhibit infiltrative growth pattern, perineural invasion, and recurrence. CONCLUSION: Regardless of tumor subtypes, penile carcinoma in Northeastern Brazil had more aggressive features and behavior when presented at younger age. This observation should be confirmed in other large series from endemic areas of penile cancer.

Febrile ulceronecrotic mucha habermann disease: case report of a dark-skinned patient.

A male dark-skinned patient, 33 years old, complaining of a 1-month history of skin lesions in the abdominal region and high fever was admitted to the clinical ward. There were ulcerated and coalescent skin lesions all over the body but sparing the palmar region. The culture of material obtained from the penile lesions was positive for Staphylococcus aureus. He was treated with oxacillin and prednisone. The patient persisted with high fever and skin lesions. After histopathological diagnosis of Mucha Habermann's disease, treatment was started with tetracycline with rapid improvement of the lesions. He was reexamined by the dermatologic service with no recurrences during the 12 months of follow-up. At this time, there was a great number of keloid scars from the skin lesions.