Differential expression of mucin core proteins and keratins in apocrine carcinoma, extramammary Paget's disease and apocrine nevus

• Published in: Journal of cutaneous pathology Vol. 36; no. 5; pp. 529 - 534
• Main Authors: Miyamoto, Toru, Inoue, Sadanori, Adachi, Kouji, Takada, Rie
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.05.2009; Wiley-Blackwell
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Apocrine Glands - metabolism; Apocrine Glands - pathology; Biological and medical sciences; Biomarkers, Tumor - analysis; Carcinoma, Skin Appendage - complications; Carcinoma, Skin Appendage - metabolism; Carcinoma, Skin Appendage - pathology; Dermatology; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Keratins - biosynthesis; Male; Medical sciences; Mucins - biosynthesis; Nevus - complications; Nevus - metabolism; Nevus - pathology; Osteoporosis. Osteomalacia. Paget disease; Paget Disease, Extramammary - complications; Paget Disease, Extramammary - metabolism; Paget Disease, Extramammary - pathology; Sweat Gland Neoplasms - metabolism; Sweat Gland Neoplasms - pathology; Tumors of the skin and soft tissue. Premalignant lesions; Keratin; Skin disease; Anatomic pathology; Carcinoma; Mucin; Dermatology; Paget disease; Malignant tumor; Apocrine nevus; Protein; Cancer
• ISSN: 0303-6987; 1600-0560
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0560.2008.01087.x

Background:  Apocrine carcinomas are rare, the immunohistochemical characterizations that are incomplete. The purpose of this study was to determine the immunohistochemical characteristics of mucin core proteins and keratins in apocrine carcinoma, extramammary Paget’s disease (EMPD) and apocrine nevus. Methods:  We report four cases of apocrine carcinomas along with immunohistochemical analyses: (i) an axillary apocrine carcinoma with an apocrine nevus, (ii) an inguinal apocrine carcinoma, (iii) a vulvar apocrine carcinoma with EMPD and (iv) an axillary apocrine carcinoma with EMPD and an apocrine nevus. Results:  The tumor cells of apocrine carcinomas, EMPD and apocrine nevi displayed a positive reaction to MUC‐1 and CK7 and a negative reaction to CK20. Apocrine carcinomas had high molecular weight (HMW) cytokeratin(+)/CK5(+)/CK14(−)/MUC5AC(−), EMPD with underlying apocrine carcinoma had HMW cytokeratin(−)/CK5(−)/CK14(−)/MUCA5AC(−) and the apocrine nevi had HMW cytokeratin(+)/CK5(+)/CK14(+)/MUCA5AC(+). Conclusion:  The immunohistochemical findings suggest that apocrine carcinomas, apocrine nevi and EMPD with underlying apocrine carcinomas are quite different, even though they are all derived from apocrine glands.