Ann Dermatol.  2011 Nov;23(4):519-522.

Apocrine Carcinoma of the Groin Possibly Associated with Extramammary Paget's Disease

• Seo SH
• Shin DH
• Sung HW

Abstract

Apocrine carcinoma is a rare malignancy with invasive potential. It presents as painless, slow-growing, firm or cystic, red nodules with focal ulcerations. The tumor is capable of hematogenous dissemination to the liver, lungs, and bone as well as lymphatic spread. In addition, apocrine carcinomas cause intra-epidemial pagetoid spread. We report a case of an apocrine carcinoma related with extensive extramammary Paget's disease (EMPD). The relationship between apocrine carcinoma and EMPD remains to be understood. Co-existing cases with apocrine carcinoma and EMPD are discussed to better understand the relationship between these two malignant apocrine tumors.

Keyword

Carcinoma; Extramammary Paget's disease; Groin

MeSH Terms

Groin
Liver
Lung
Paget Disease, Extramammary
Ulcer

Figure

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  Fig. 1 An erythematous plaque with an exophytic nodule on the left groin with lymphedema on the left leg.

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  Fig. 2 (A) Histopathology revealed features of extramammary Paget's disease in the epidermis and underlying glandular neoplastic foci in the reticular dermis as well as in the subcutaneous adipose tissue. (B) Large cells with large nuclei and abundant cytoplasm with some mitotic figures infiltrating the epidermis. (C) Apocrine carcinoma cells showing apocrine features; the tumor resembles a carcinoma in situ. (D) Positive immunostaining for cytokeratin 7 (CK7) in the tumor and Paget cells. (E) Tumor and Paget cells with negative immunostaining for CK20 (F) Positive reaction for gross cystic disease fluid protein-15 in the tumor and Paget cells (original magnification: A, ×40; B~F, ×100).

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