Comparative Analysis of Immunohistochemical Features in Basal Cell Carcinoma Subtypes / 대한피부과학회지

BACKGROUND: There has been no general agreement in classifying basal cell carcinoma (BCC), and little is known about the immunohistochemical profiles in each subtypes of BCC. BCC is a locally-invasive tumor, but its aggressive forms tend to recur and metastasize. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we have compared the histolopathological subtypes of BCC by immunohistochemical study. We also focused on identifying representative markers of growth in the aggressive forms of BCC by assessing VEGF, p53 and alpha-SMA expression. METHODS: A total of 87 BCC specimens were collected at the 7 branch hospitals of The Catholic University of Korea from July 1997 to June 2003. For multiple immunohistochemical staining, a tissue microarray technique was used. The 87 samples were divided into 6 subtypes: 18 nodular, 19 nodular infiltrative, 12 micronodular, 14 infiltrative, 11 morphea and 13 basosquamous. Overall, 18 samples were classified as non-aggressive and the remaining 69 as aggressive. RESULTS: The following results were obtained after immunohistochemical staining with antibodies alpha-SMA, VEGF and p53. A significant increase of alpha-SMA expression was observed in aggressive forms of BCC, whereas the expression of p53, VEGF, the number of mast cells remained the same. The representative markers of tumor growth such as alpha-SMA were most highly expressed in the basosquamous type, and least expressed in the micronodular type compared to the nodular type. CONCLUSION: alpha-SMA was considered as an appropriate immunohistochemical marker in BCC to represent aggressiveness.

A Case of Dystrophic Calcinosis Cutis Arising from the Lesion of Clear Cell Syringoma / 대한피부과학회지

Dystrophic calcinosis cutis is diagnosed, when calcium is deposited in the previously damaged tissue by connective tissue disease, panniculitis, pseudoxanthoma elasticum or trauma. We report a case of dystrophic calcinosis cutis arising from the lesion of clear cell syringoma. A 73-year-old woman presented with asymptomatic, multiple, skin-colored to whitish flat papules on the forehead. A punch biopsy specimen revealed amorphous basophilic materials in the upper dermis, as well as a large number of nests of clear cells in the middle dermis.

A Case of Solitary Neurofibroma on the Palm / 대한피부과학회지

Neurofibroma may present as multiple or solitary lesions. Although there is no predilection site of solitary lesion, the occurrence on hands is rare. We herein report a case of solitary neurofibroma in 33-year-old female patient, who presented with a 0.5 x 0.5 cm sized, soft, dome-shaped papule on the left palm with typical histologic findings.

A Case of Papular Tuberculid and BCGitis after BCG Vaccination / 대한피부과학회지

BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guerin), which produces resistance to tuberculosis infection, is a vaccine containing live, attenuated Mycobacterium bovis. It induces specific and nonspecific dermatologic complications. The specific reactions include scrofuloderma-like, lupus vulgaris-like, lichen nitidus-like, lymphadenitis and tuberculid. We report a case of papular tuberculid, which was presented as 3-5mm sized erythematous papules on the extremities and face, and BCGitis had developed around the vaccination site after BCG vaccination. Histopathologic examination of the papule and lymph node showed granuloma, consisting of epithelioid cells and lymphocytes.