Angiosarcoma is a rare malignant tumor of endothelial cell origin. Histopathologically, varied differentiation may be observed even within the same tumor. Epithelioid angiosarcoma is one subset of poorly differentiated angiosarcoma which is a rare variant. We report a case of epithelioid angiosarcoma of the scalp in a 59-year-old man. The patient had a painful solitary, 2x3 cm sized, dome-shaped, firm, erythematous to purplish nodule with crust on the vertex of the scalp. Histopathologically, the tumor was chiefly composed of solid sheets of atypical epithelioid cells with prominent eosinophilic cytoplasm, a large vesicular nuclei, and occasional intracytoplasmic vacuoles. Well to moderately differentiated areas with irregular vascular channel-like structures lined by atypical hyperchromatic endothelial cells were also seen in the peripheral areas of the tumor. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were positive with CD31 which is sensitive marker of endothelial cell.
Cytoplasm ; Endothelial Cells ; Eosinophils ; Epithelioid Cells ; Hemangiosarcoma* ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Scalp* ; Vacuoles

BACKGROUND: Bowen's disease, also known as squamous intraepidermal carcinoma, is a pre-malignant skin tumor with a potential to progress to an invasive carcinoma. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical and histopathological characteristics of Bowen's disease. METHODS: A total of 45 patients with Bowen's disease were enrolled in this study. The hospital charts and histopathological slides from 1994 to 2005 were reviewed retrospectively at Seoul Veterans Hospital. RESULTS: There were thirty-seven cases (82%) of single lesions and eight cases (18%) of multiple lesions. Thirty cases (81%) of solitary Bowen's disease were located in non sun-exposed areas. These included the trunk, extremities and genital area in decreasing order. Seven cases (19%) of solitary Bowen's disease occurred on sun- exposed areas including the face and the dorsum of the hand in decreasing order. Analysis of the clinical character of Bowen's disease was performed and results were as follows: the most common type was patch (20 cases; 44%), plaque (14 cases; 31%) and pigmented lesions (12 cases: 27%). Analysis of the histopathological character of Bowen's disease was performed and results were as follows: the most common type was irregular (18 cases; 46%), psoriasiform (11 cases; 28%) and verrucous, atrophic type in decreasing order. Of 18 cases where surgical removal was performed, there were 2 case (11%) of recurrence. Of 16 cases where cryotherapy treatment was administered, there were 3 cases of recurrence. And of 4 cases where CO2 laser therapy was used, there was 1 case (25%) of recurrence, in 2 cases where multiple or large-sized lesions were observed, clinical recovery processes were monitored after applying isotretinoin and 5-FU combined therapy, as well as surgical removal and cryotherapy combined therapy. CONCLUSION: In Bowen's disease among Koreans, there were many distinctive clinical and histopathological features compared to those of non-Korean cases.
Bowen's Disease* ; Cryotherapy ; Extremities ; Fluorouracil ; Hand ; Hospitals, Veterans ; Humans ; Isotretinoin ; Lasers, Gas ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Seoul ; Skin

BACKGROUND: The epidermis and adnexal epithelium might express different types of keratin (K) during fetal development. OBJECTIVE: The objective is to observe the distribution of K8/18 in the skin of fetuses and to find out the distinction of expressions of K8/18 during fetal development. METHODS: Immunohistochemical analysis was applied to the skin of the scalp and sole of 42 fetuses ranging from 10 to 39 weeks of gestation. Immunohistochemical staining with monoclonal antibodies with CAM5.2 using LSAB kit against K8/18 was conducted. RESULTS: In the skin of the scalp, K8/18 was expressed in the periderm and basal layer of epidermis from the 10th week to the 31st week of fetal gestation. K8/18 was expressed in the hair germ, bulge and basal cells of fetal the infundibulum and sebaceous glands. Root sheath cells were weakly positive but matrix cells were negative. The expression of K8/18 was negative in the basal layer of the sole. Merkel cells, which are located in the basal layer and upper dermis, were positive from the 12th week of gestation. Terminal eccrine ducts and acinar cells were positive after the 20th week of gestation. CONCLUSION: K8/18 in the skin of the scalp and sole of fetuses were expressed in different ways. The expression of K8/18 in the basal cells of the sole were negative while basal cells of the epidermis of the scalp were positive transiently from the 12th to the 31st week of gestation. Early hair germ cells and bulge cells were expressed strongly in hair follicles. Terminal eccrine ducts and acini were expressed strongly in the eccrine gland. Merkel cells located in the basal layer and papillary dermis also express K8/18.
Acinar Cells ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; Dermis ; Eccrine Glands ; Epidermis ; Epithelium ; Fetal Development ; Fetus ; Germ Cells ; Hair ; Hair Follicle ; Merkel Cells ; Molecular Weight* ; Pregnancy ; Scalp ; Sebaceous Glands ; Skin*

Chondroid syringoma, also known as `mixed tumor of the skin', is a kind of acquired hamartoma of folliculosebaceous-apocrine lineage. Histologically, it is characterized by the biphasic pattern, with epithelial structures enveloped by abundant stroma. We report a case of chondroid syringoma, as an asymptomatic nodule, on the upper lip of a 55-year-old male. Histologically, the tumor had both epithelial components with follicular differentiation and myxochondroid stroma.
Adenoma, Pleomorphic* ; Hamartoma ; Humans ; Lip ; Male ; Middle Aged

BACKGROUND: Catenins are the associated protein with E-cadherin in the formation of adhesion complexes in normal and tumor cells related with epithelial differentiation and development of organ formation as well as in the tumor spread. The present study was aimed to find the distribution of alpha- and gamma-catenins in fetal skin development. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to observe the distribution of above two adhesion related proteins in the fetal skin during development, and to find its relationship by expression and their distribution pattern. METHODS: Skin was obtained from the scalp, chest, and sole of 21 human fetuses, ranging from 13 to 37 weeks of gestational age. Immunohistochemical staining was performed by the avidin biotin peroxidase complex method on paraffin embedded tissue using the anti-human monoclonal antibody against the human alpha- and gamma-catenins. RESULTS: alpha- and gamma-catenins were expressed strongly in basal cells of the epidermis and germ cells of skin adnexa, such as hair and eccrine glands at 13th week, followed by decreased basal cell expression. Increase in the suprabasal epithelium and differentiated adnexal epithelium, such as outer root sheath cells and eccrine ducts and glands at 18th week, and adult pattern in 23th week of gestation. Both showed similar distribution pattern in skin though gamma-catenin appeared two or three weeks later. alpha- and gamma-catenins are expressed not only in the epithelium of the skin, but also in the mesenchymal cells such as endothelial cells and fibroblasts. Though both catenins are more strongly expressed in the membrane portion, cytoplasmic expression is also noted. CONCLUSION: Both alpha- and gamma-catenin showed basically the same expression distribution pattern in the fetal skin developmental stage, suggesting that both adhesion molecules are highly related to each other in function and development of epidermis and adnexae of the skin in fetal stage.
Adult ; Avidin ; Biotin ; Cadherins ; Catenins ; Cytoplasm ; Eccrine Glands ; Endothelial Cells ; Epidermis ; Epithelium ; Fetus ; Fibroblasts ; gamma Catenin* ; Germ Cells ; Gestational Age ; Hair ; Humans ; Membranes ; Paraffin ; Peroxidase ; Pregnancy ; Scalp ; Skin* ; Thorax

Spindle cell lipoma, an entity first described in 1975, accounts for about 1.5% of adipocytic neoplasms and is outnumbered by conventional benign lipomas by approximately 60 to 1. We report an unusual pseudoangiomatous variant of spindle cell lipoma on the right thigh of a 78-year-old man. The lesion had the features of typical spindle cell lipoma which was composed of mature fat cells and uniform spindle cells in a mucoid matrix with collagen bundles. In addition, the lesion exhibited irregular, branching spaces with villiform connective tissue projections, giving a striking angiomatoid appearance. Immunohistochemically, the spindle cells were positive for CD34, and lining cells of pseudoangiomatous spaces were negative for CD31, factor VIII-Ag.
Adipocytes ; Aged ; Collagen ; Connective Tissue ; Humans ; Lipoma ; Strikes, Employee ; Thigh

BACKGROUND: Claudins are integral membrane proteins at tight junctions of simple epithelium and have an important role in cell-cell adhesion and barrier function. Their altered expression modifies the biological function and behavior of epithelial cells. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to observe the distribution and the degree of expression of claudin-1 during fetal skin development. METHODS: The expression of claudin-1 in the fetal skin was analyzed after immunohistochemical stain was performed on paraffin embedded tissue of sole and scalp of 34 human fetuses, ranging from 10 to 39 weeks of gestational age, using anti-human monoclonal antibody against the claudin-1. RESULTS: Claudin-1 appeared strongly in the sole skin at the 12th week of gestation thereafter expressed more in middle layer in epidermis of the sole and the scalp. Inner root sheaths and early hair germ cells were strongly positive in fetal hair development. Eccrine gland epithelium was positive in later stages. Focal positive expression in superficial layer and strong in middle layer were noted in oral mucosa side of the lip. CONCLUSION: Claudin-1 showed slightly different expression in skin and oral mucosa and has a important role in the development of tight junction and barrier formation in skin and mucosa during fetal stage.
Claudin-1 ; Claudins ; Eccrine Glands ; Epidermis ; Epithelium ; Fetus ; Germ Cells ; Gestational Age ; Hair ; Humans ; Lip ; Membrane Proteins ; Mouth Mucosa ; Mucous Membrane ; Paraffin ; Pregnancy ; Scalp ; Skin ; Tight Junctions

Trichoblastoma is a benign cutaneous neoplasm that consists of follicular germinative cells. We report a case of trichoblastoma in a 58-year-old man. The tumor was presented as a solitary symmetrical shaped pedunculated 5.0x4.0x2.0cm sized multilobular tumor on right lower leg for 2 years. Histopathologic examination showed well circumscribed dermal tumor composed of multilobular tumor islands of palisaded basaloid epithelial cells. The tumoral lobules were concentrically surrounded by hyalinized collagen bundles with fibroblasts. The overall architecture was reminiscent of hair bulbs. Cytokeratin 14 stain showed positive reaction, but cytokeratin 10 stain showed negative reaction. The tumor was completely excised with clear margin. No sign of recurrence has been noted until 9 months later.
Collagen ; Epithelial Cells ; Fibroblasts ; Hair ; Humans ; Hyalin ; Islands ; Keratin-14 ; Keratins ; Leg ; Middle Aged ; Recurrence

BACKGROUND: Desmocollins (Dsc) are calcium-dependent transmembrane glycoproteins of desmosomes that are important in the junction complex of epidermis and maintain structural integrity of the skin from external stressors. Among three Dscs (Dsc 1, 2, 3), Dsc 1 and 3 are distributed on skin. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to observe the Dsc 1 distribution pattern on the skin and oral mucosa during fetal development. METHODS: Skin was obtained from the sole and scalp of 33 fetuses, ranging from 10 to 37 weeks of gestational age. Immunohistochemical staining was performed on the paraffin-embedded tissue using a Dsc 1 monoclonal antibody. RESULTS: Dsc 1 was expressed in the suprabasal layer but not in the basal layer of the epidermis of the sole at the 10th week of gestation. Thereafter, Dsc 1 expression further increased in the suprabasal layer with initiation of stratification and increased gradually in the granular layers of the sole and scalp epidermis. Dsc 1 was strongly expressed in the superficial layer of the infundibulum and inner root sheath of the hair follicle but was not expressed in the sebaceous cells or other hair components. The eccrine duct epithelium was focally and weakly positive for Dsc 1 expression. Furthermore, Dsc 1 was not expressed in oral mucosa, although the oro-cutaneous portion was strongly expressed in the superficial layer. CONCLUSION: Dsc 1 was strongly expressed in the suprabasal cells of the epidermis during fetal skin development, and expression increased gradually in the granular layer and inner root sheath of the hair follicle. However, Dsc 1 was not expressed in basal cells or in oral mucosa. Dsc 1 may play a role in the maintenance of epithelial integrity as part of desmosomes.
Desmocollins ; Desmosomes ; Epidermis ; Epithelium ; Fetus ; Gestational Age ; Glycoproteins ; Hair ; Hair Follicle ; Mouth Mucosa ; Pregnancy ; Scalp ; Skin

BACKGROUND: Desmosomes are cell-cell adhesion complexes that provide mechanical integrity to keratinocytes by linking them to keratin intermediate filaments. Desmosomes are composed of two major transmembrane proteins, desmoglein and desmocollin. In humans, four desmoglein isoforms have been identified: Dsg1, Dsg2, Dsg3, and Dsg4. Desmogleins are Ca2+-dependent adhesion molecules and play important parts in the formation and maintenance of desmosomes. Desmoglein-1 is the main skin-associated desmosomal cadherin. It is expressed throughout the epidermis, but most prominently in the differentiated layers. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to observe the distribution pattern of desmoglein-1 in the skin and oral mucosa during fetal development. METHODS: Skin was obtained from the sole and scalp of 35 fetuses, ranging from 10 to 37 weeks of gestational age. Immunohistochemical staining was performed on paraffin embedded tissue using anti-human monoclonal antibody against desmoglein-1. RESULTS: Expression of desmoglein-1 in the epidermis appeared in the upper layer of the sole, but the basal layer was negative at the 10th gestational age. Thereafter, stratification began with stronger expression in the middle layer than in the basal layer of the sole and scalp epidermis. Expression in the middle spinous layer is stronger in the fetal period than in other layers of the epidermis. Expression in the superficial layer seemed to increase in later stages. Expression of desmoglein-1 in hair was strong in the infundibulum, inner root sheath, sebaceous glandular epithelium, and eccrine duct epithelium. Expression of desmoglein-1 in oral lip mucosa was very weak or negative in the upper half of the mucosal epithelium, though the lower half was strongly positive, while the skin side of the mucosa was similar with the sole skin. CONCLUSION: Desmoglein-1 may play a complementary role in the maintenance of epithelial integrity along with other desmogleins, because desmoglein-1 distribution is slightly different from that of desmoglein-3 in epidermis, hair and mucosa in fetal skin development.
Desmogleins ; Desmosomes ; Epidermis ; Epithelium ; Fetus ; Gestational Age ; Hair ; Humans ; Intermediate Filaments ; Keratinocytes ; Keratins ; Lip ; Mouth Mucosa ; Mucous Membrane ; Paraffin ; Protein Isoforms ; Proteins ; Scalp ; Skin