[Abrikosoff's tumor: a clinicopathologic study of nine cases]

Abrikossoff's tumour or granular cell tumor or is a benign neurogenic tumour. It is ubiquitous with the most frequently affected site is the head and neck region. To report a series of granular cell tumors and to discuss its clinicopathologic features and histogenesis. We report a series of nine cases diagnosed between January 2004 and December 2006 in the Pathology Department of the University Hospital of Sfax. We have collected the clinical aspects and we have proceeded on a pathological, cytochemical [PAS and PAS diastasis] and immunohistochemical study. Nine cases of TCG are presented: 5 females and 4 males. The median age was 33.9 years [extremes: 7 and 53 years]. All tumours were unique. The most common localization was in the head and neck region [5 cases]. The diagnosis was suspected using standard histologic criteria and confirmed by immunohistochemistry: tumour cells expressed vimentine [90%], S100 protein [100%] and neuron specifique enolase [80%]. In all cases patients were treated by excisional resection and had a benign course with no evidence of recurrence [median follow up: 2 years]. Granular cell tumours are rare neoplasm which must be recognised because they demonstrate a benign behaviour after their surgical excision. Histological features of granular cell tumours are commonly characteristic but some times they can be misdiagnosed as malignant tumours especially when the biopsy is superficial. The staining for neurogen markers and PAS are useful tools

[Scalp metastasis from small cell carcinoma of the rectum: an unusual case]

Cutaneous metastasis of rectal carcinoma is a rare event. It occurs in 4%of all patients with rectal cancer. Skin metastasis of rectal cancer are usually detected near the initial tumor. especially in the periumbilical region; but they rarely occur in the scalp. To report a new case of scalp metastases from rectal tumor. Our patient was a 63-year old male with a history small cell carcinoma of the rectum who subsequently developed s single nodule of the scalp of 4cm. Histopathological analysis revealed a small cell carcinoma infiltrating the dermis am subcutaneous tissue. The patient underwent palliative chemotherapy but his disease continued to progress. In contrast to the prior cases of scalp metastases reported in the literature, ours is the first documentation of such occurrence from rectal small cell carcinoma. The early diagnosis of skin metastases in these patients is very important because it can alter treatment