Mast Cell Changes in Skin Diseases

ABSTRACT

Mast cell changes, numbers and degranulations, of 264 cases of skin biopsy lesions were studied. An increase of mast cells was noted in congenital diseases; noninfectious erythematous, papullar, and squamous diseases; vascular diseases; bacterial diseases; fungal diseases; lipidoses; metabolic diseases; connective tissue diseases; tumors and cysts of the epidermis; tumors of epidermal appendages; tumors of fibrous tissue; tumors of vascular tissue; and benign tumors of melanocytes. The increase was noted mainly in the surrounding areas of the lesions rather than within the lesions. In only a few conditions; vascular diseases, connective tissue diseases, and tumors of vascular tissue, an increase of mast cells within the lesion was noted. With regard to the relation between mast cell changes and gross appearance of skin lesions, an increase of mast cells was observed in the surrounding areas of scally, vesicular, nodular or warty, and ulcerated lesions. Relationship between the degree of degranulation to the types of skin disease or gross appearance can not be clearly established. In all conditions, the increase of mast cells was intimately associated with formation of new fibrous connective tissue.