Primary signet‐ring cell carcinoma of the axilla

Abstract

Primary cutaneous histiocytoid or signet-ring cell carcinoma represents an extremely rare adnexal neoplasm that most frequently presents on the eyelid but more rarely may present in the axilla. As this tumor can resemble metastatic carcinoma with signet-ring cells, especially lobular carcinoma of the breast, it can often present a diagnostic challenge. We present a case of cutaneous signet-ring cell carcinoma presenting in the axilla and outline the challenges of diagnosing this rare malignancy.

Primary cutaneous histiocytoid carcinoma with distant metastasis

“…The behavior of the patient's tumor is similar to that of metastatic breast cancer, providing support to previous authors’ suggestions that this entity is equivalent to histiocytoid lobular carcinoma of the breast . Interestingly, cases of primary cutaneous histiocytoid carcinoma of the axilla have often been Her 2‐neu positive, in contrast to other primary apocrine carcinoma tumors . This has important implications for management, as the anti‐Her 2‐neu antibody, trastuzumab, may be an effective therapy .…”

“…The tumor usually spares the epidermis. Immunohistochemical features are variable, but the tumor cells often demonstrate reactivity for CK7, GCDFP‐15 and focal CK20, as observed in the presented case . Primary cutaneous histiocytoid carcinoma is thought to be of apocrine histogenesis, supported by immunoreactivity for GCDFP‐15 and decapitation secretion .…”

“…Primary cutaneous histiocytoid carcinoma is thought to be of apocrine histogenesis, supported by immunoreactivity for GCDFP‐15 and decapitation secretion . As such, some authors consider primary cutaneous histiocytoid carcinoma to be a variant of primary cutaneous apocrine carcinoma …”

“…Primary cutaneous histiocytoid carcinoma, also known as primary cutaneous signet ring cell carcinoma, is a rare adnexal tumor most commonly observed on the eyelids, but also reported in the axilla . Most cases have occurred as slow‐growing nodules or plaques in middle‐aged or elderly males.…”

“…Primary cutaneous histiocytoid carcinoma, also known as primary cutaneous signet ring cell carcinoma, is a rare adnexal tumor most commonly observed on the eyelids, 1 but also reported in the axilla. [2][3][4][5][6][7] Most cases have occurred as slow-growing nodules or plaques in middle-aged or elderly males. Distant metastasis has been described in some cases of primary cutaneous histiocytoid carcinoma of the eyelid; however, to our knowledge, only regional lymph node metastasis has been described in axillary cases to date.…”