Primary neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin with an unusual follicular lymphocytic infiltrate of the dermis

Am J Dermatopathol. 1996 Dec;18(6):625-8. doi: 10.1097/00000372-199612000-00014.

Abstract

Primary neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin (PNECS) is a rare cutaneous tumor occurring predominantly on sun-exposed skin of elderly people. This histomorphological appearance of this aggressive tumor can be highly variable depending on the predominating growth pattern. We present an unusual case of PNECS: the tumor masked by a dense lymphoid infiltrate with a well-formed follicular growth pattern. In these cases of PNECS, the differential diagnosis must be extended to lymphoid neoplasms as well as lymphoepithelial neoplasms.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • B-Lymphocytes / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine / pathology*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / pathology
  • Cell Nucleus / ultrastructure
  • Chromogranin A
  • Chromogranins / analysis
  • Cytoplasm / ultrastructure
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Facial Neoplasms / pathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Keratins / analysis
  • Lymphocytes / pathology*
  • Lymphoid Tissue / pathology
  • Neurofilament Proteins / analysis
  • Phosphopyruvate Hydratase / analysis
  • Skin / pathology
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology*

Substances

  • Chromogranin A
  • Chromogranins
  • Neurofilament Proteins
  • Keratins
  • Phosphopyruvate Hydratase