Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Neoplasms of the Skin and Immunodermatology

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Essentials of Anatomic Pathology

Abstract

The skin is host to one of the most diverse arrays of developmental anomalies, hamartomas, and benign and malignant neoplasms encountered in any organ system of the body. Epithelial, mesenchymal, hematopoietic, and melanocytic proliferations are commonly encountered in the skin and comprise a large part of most routine pathology practices. This chapter describes the clinical and histopathologic features of these proliferations, in addition to describing the special studies such as immunohistochemistry often necessary to arrive at the correct diagnosis. As in all areas of surgical pathology, but especially in dermatopathology, the correct diagnosis requires correlation of the microscopic findings with clinical information. This chapter will also cover immunodermatology and specifically the application of direct and indirect immunofluorescence to the diagnosis of immune-mediated bullous disorders and other autoimmune dermatoses.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 149.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Suggested Reading

Cutaneous Neoplasms and Developmental Anomalies

  • Argenyi ZB. Newly recognized neural neoplasms relevant to the dermatopathologist. Dermatol Clin 1992;10:219–234.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Argenyi ZB. Cutaneous neural heterotopias and related tumors relevant for the dermatopathologist. Semin Diagn Pathol 1996;13:60–71.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Beltraminelli H, Leinweber B, Kerl H, Derroni L. Primary cutaneous CD4+ small/medium-sized pleomorphic T-cell lymphoma: a cutaneous nodular proliferation of pleomorphic T lymphocytes of undetermined significance? A study of 136 cases. Am J Dermatopathol 2009;31:317–322.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bobos M, Hytiroglou P, Kostopoulos I, Karkavelas G, Papadimitriou C. Immunohistochemical distinction between merkel cell carcinoma and small cell carcinoma of the lung. Am J Dermatopathol 2006;28:99–104.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cibull T, Thomas A, O’Malley D, Billings S. Myeloid leukemia cutis: a histologic and immunohistochemical review. J Cutan Pathol 2008;35:180–185.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cruz DJ. Sweat gland carcinomas: a comprehensive review. Semin Diagn Pathol 1987;4:38–74.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fabrizi G, Pagliarello C, Prente P, Massi G. Atypical nevi of the scalp in adolescents. J Cutan Pathol 2007;34:365–369.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fetsch J, Laskin W, Hallman J, Lupton G, Miettinen M. Neurothekeoma: an analysis of 178 tumors with detailed immunohistochemical data and long-term patient follow-up information. Am J Surg Pathol 2007;31:1103–1114.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • González SB. Histopathologic diagnosis of pigmented lesions of the skin. Pathol Res Pract 1991;187:387–431.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Groben P, Harvell J, White W. Epithelioid blue nevus: neoplasm or Sui generis or variation on a theme? Am J Dermatopathol 2000;22:473–488.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Olsen E, Vonderheid E, Pimpinelli N, Willemze R, Kim Y, Knobler R, Zackheim H, Duvic M, Estrach T, Lamberg S, Wood G, Drummer R, Ranki A, Burg G, Heald P, Pittelkow M, Bernengo M, Sterrry W, Laroche L, Trautinger F, Whittaker S. Revisions to the staging and classification of mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome: a proposal of the International Society for Cutaneous Lymphomas (ISCL) and the cutaneous lymphoma task force of the European Organization of Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC). Blood 2007;110:1713–1722.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Massa M, Medenica M. Cutaneous adnexal tumors and cysts: a review. II. Tumors with apocrine and eccrine glandular differentiation and miscellaneous cutaneous cysts. Pathol Annu 1987;22:225–276.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Massone C, El-Shabrawi-Caelen L, Kerl H, Cerroni L. The morphologic spectrum of primary cutaneous anaplastic large T-cell lymphoma: a ­histopathologic study on 66 biopsy specimens from 47 patients with report of rare variants. J Cutan Pathol 2008;35:46–53.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mentzel T, Kutzner H. Dermatomyofibroma: clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical analysis of 56 cases and reappraisal of a rare and distinct cutaneous neoplasm. Am J Dermatopathol 2009;31:44–49.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Plaza J, Torres-Cabala C, Evans H, Diwan A, Prieto V. Immu­nohistochemical expression of S100A6 in cellular neurothekeoma: clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical analysis of 31 cases. Am J Dermatopathol 2009;31:419–422.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Reichard K, Burks E, Foucar K, Wilson C, Viswanatha D, Hozier J, Larson R. CD4(+) CD56(+) lineage-negative malignancies are rare tumors of plasmacytoid dendritic cells. Am J Surg Pathol 2005;29:1274–1283.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Requena C, Requena L, Kutzner H, Yus E. Spitz nevus: a clinicopathologic study of 349 cases. Am J Dermatopathol 2009;31:107–116.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Requena L, Sangueza OP. Cutaneous vascular anomalies. Part I. Hamartomas, malformations, and dilatation of preexisting vessels. J Am Acad Dermatol 1997;37:523–549.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Requena L, Sangueza OP. Cutaneous vascular proliferations. Part II. Hyperplasias and benign neoplasms. J Am Acad Dermatol 1997;37:887–919.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Requena L, Sangueza OP. Cutaneous vascular proliferations. Part III. Malignant neoplasms, other cutaneous neoplasms with significant ­vascular component, and disorders erroneously considered as vascular neoplasms. J Am Acad Dermatol 1998;38:143–175.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Singh R, Grayson W, Redston M, Diwan A, Warneke C, McKee P, Lev D, Lyle S, Calonje E, Laxar A. Site and tumor type predicts DNA ­mismatch repair status in cutaneous sebaceous neoplasia. Am J Surg Pathol 2008;32:936–942.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Slater DN. The new World Health Organization-European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer classification for cutaneous lymphomas: a practical marriage of two giants. Br J Dermatol 2005;153:874–880.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Swanson PE, Cherwitz DL, Neumann MP, Wick MR. Eccrine sweat gland carcinoma: an histologic and immunohistochemical study of 32 cases. J Cutan Pathol 1987;14:65–86.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tardio J. CD34-reactive tumors of the skin. An updated review of an ­ever-growing list of lesions. J Cutan Pathol 2008;35:1079–1092.

    Google Scholar 

  • Walsh N, Crotty K, Palmer A, McCarthy S. Spitz nevus versus spitzoid malignant melanoma: an evaluation of the current distinguishing ­histopathologic criteria. Hum Pathol 1998;29:1105–1112.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wick MR, Goellner JR, Wolfe JT III, Su WPD. Adnexal carcinomas of the skin, I: eccrine carcinomas. Cancer 1985;56:1147–1162.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wick MR, Goellner JR, Wolfe JT III, Su WPD. Adnexal carcinomas of the skin, II: extraocular sebaceous carcinomas. Cancer 1985;56:1163–1172.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Willemze R, Jaffe E, Burg G, Cerroni L, Berti E, Swerdlow S, Ralfkiaer E, Chimenti S, Diaz-Perez J, Duncan L, Grange F, Harris N, Kempf W, Kerl H, Kurrer M, Knobler R, Pimpinelli N, Sander C, Santucci M, Sterry W, Vermeer M, Weschsler J, Whittaker S. WHO-EORTC classification for cutaneous lymphomas. Blood 2005;105:3768–3785.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zelger BWH, Sidoroff A, Orchard G, Cerio R. Non-Langerhans cell ­histiocytoses. Am J Dermatopathol 1996;18:490–504.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Immunodermatology

  • Abell E, Presbury DG, Marks R, et al. The diagnostic significance of immunoglobulin and fibrin deposition in lichen planus. Br J Dermatol 1975;93:17–24.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • David-Bajar KM, Bennion SD, DeSpain JD, et al. Clinical, histologic and immunofluorescent distinctions between subacute cutaneous lupus ­erythemaatosus and discoid lupus erythematosus. J Invest Dermatol 1992;99:251–257.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gammon WR, Briggaman RA, Woodley DT, et al. Epidermolysis bullosa acquisita: a pemphigoid-like disease. J Am Acad Dermatol 1984;11:820–832.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gately LE, Nesbitt LT. Update on immunofluorescent testing in bullous diseases and lupus erythematosus. Dermatol Clin 1994;1:133–142.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jones RR, Bhogal B, Dash A, et al. Urticaria and vasculitis: a ­continuum of histological and immunopathological changes. Br J Dermatol 1983;108:695–703.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Korman NJ. Pemphigus. Immunodermatology 1990;8:689–700.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Leonard JN, Tucker WFG, Fry JS, et al. Increased incidence of ­malignancy in dermatitis herpetiformis. Br J Med 1983;286:16–18.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Logan RA, Bhogal B, Das AK, et al. Localization of bullous pemphigoid antigen: an indirect immunofluorescence study of 228 cases using a ­split-skin technique. Br J Dermatol 1987;117:471–478.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mutasim DF, Pelc NJ, Anhalt GJ. Paraneoplastic pemphigus. Dermatol Clin 1993;11:473–481.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Olansky AJ, Briggaman RA, Gammon WR, et al. Bullous systemic lupus erythematosus. J Am Acad Dermatol 1982;7:511–520.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Person JR, Rogers RS III. Bullous and cicatricial pemphigoid: clinical, histologic, pathogenic and immunopathological correlations. Mayo Clin Proc 1977;52:54–66.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Peters MS, Rogers RS III. Clinical correlations of IgA deposition at the cutaneous basement membrane zone. J Am Acad Dermatol 1989;20:761–770.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schroeter AL, Copeman PWM, Hordon RE, et al. Immunofluorescence of cutaneous vasculitis associated with systemic disease. Arch Dermatol 1971;104:254–259.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shornick JK. Herpes gestationis. Dermatol Clin 1993;11:527–533.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zone JJ, Taylor TB, Meyer LJ. Identification of the cutaneous basement membrane zone antigen and isolation of antibody in linear immunoglobulin A bullous dermatosis. J Clin Invest 1990;85:812.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathology, St. Mary’s Hospital/Duluth Clinic Health System, Duluth, MN, USA

    Daniel P. Vandersteen MD & Chris H. Jokinen MD

  2. Dermatopathology of Wisconsin, Brookfield, WI, USA

    Melanie Triffet-Treviño MD

Authors
  1. Daniel P. Vandersteen MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Melanie Triffet-Treviño MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Chris H. Jokinen MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Medicine, Dept. Pathology, Indiana University, N. University Blvd. 550, Indianapolis, 46202, Indiana, USA

    Liang Cheng

  2. Bostwick Laboratories, N. Parham Rd. 2807, Richmond, 23294, Virgin Islands, USA

    David G. Bostwick

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2011 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Vandersteen, D.P., Triffet-Treviño, M., Jokinen, C.H. (2011). Neoplasms of the Skin and Immunodermatology. In: Cheng, L., Bostwick, D. (eds) Essentials of Anatomic Pathology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-6043-6_18

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-6043-6_18

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4419-6042-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4419-6043-6

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation