Primary Cutaneous Mucinous Carcinoma Treated with Narrow Surgical Margin

ABSTRACT

Primary cutaneous mucinous carcinoma (PCMC) is a rare malignant tumor of eccrine origin. Clinically, the carcinoma presents as a solitary, slow growing, and painless nodule. For this reason, this tumor is often considered to be a benign mass in the preoperative setting. The lesion is, however, malignant in nature and has a tendency for local recurrence and infrequent metastasis. Wide local excision is the treatment of choice. However, few reports exist with information regarding surgical margins and clinical outcomes. Herein, we report a case of PCMC excised with a narrow surgical margin and review the relevant literature. A 49-year-old man presented with a small cutaneous nodule of the right cheek. The mass was excised without any margin, but pathologic examination revealed histology of mucinous carcinoma. Because of this, the operative site was re-excised with a 5-mm margin, and the wound was closed using a V-Y advancement flap. Systemic work-up did not reveal other potential metastatic primary, for a final diagnosis of PCMC. We report this case of PCMC, treated with relatively narrow margin in a patient with good prognostic factors.