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Primary cutaneous Langerhans cell sarcoma without Birbeck granules: indeterminate cell sarcoma?
Author(s) -
Deng April,
Lee Wendy,
Pfau Richard,
Harrington Allan,
DiGiovani John,
Prickett Kyle A.,
Dare David M.,
Petrali John P.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
journal of cutaneous pathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.597
H-Index - 75
eISSN - 1600-0560
pISSN - 0303-6987
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0560.2007.00907.x
Subject(s) - birbeck granules , pathology , histiocytic sarcoma , histiocyte , clear cell sarcoma , neoplasm , pleomorphism (cytology) , sarcoma , differential diagnosis , nodule (geology) , medicine , epithelioid cell , biology , langerhans cell , immunohistochemistry , antigen , paleontology , immunology
An 88‐year‐old white male presented with a rapidly growing skin nodule on the scalp. Clinically, the nodule did not appear unusual for an ordinary cutaneous neoplasm on sun‐exposed skin of an elderly white male. Histopathological examination showed sheet‐like epithelioid tumor cell growth with a vaguely nested pattern and frank malignant features, resembling malignant melanoma. However, the tumor cells possessed irregularly convoluted nuclei with nuclear groves, frequent multinucleation and fine vesicular cytoplasm, features highly suggestive of histiocytes. Immunohistochemistry studies showed that the tumor cells were diffusely positive for S‐100 protein and CD1a and negative for HMB‐45, Melan‐A, cytokeratin and CD30. The provisional diagnosis of Langerhans cell sarcoma was thus favored. To confirm this diagnosis, electron microscopic examination was performed. Although classic features of histiocytes were readily identifiable, no Birbeck granules could be found upon a thorough search on repeated sections. These results are indicative of the indeterminate cell nature of the tumor. We propose a diagnosis of primary cutaneous indeterminate cell sarcoma for this unusual histiocytic neoplasm. Current classification of histiocytic neoplasms and differential diagnosis are reviewed.