DermNet provides Google Translate, a free machine translation service. Note that this may not provide an exact translation in all languages

Translate

Metastatic adenocarcinoma pathology

Author: Dr Ben Tallon, Dermatologist/Dermatopathologist, Tauranga, New Zealand, 2011.


toc-icon
Table of contents
arrow-right-small

Histology of metastatic adenocarcinoma

The histology of metastatic adenocarcinoma may show a number of patterns. Low power view frequently shows a poorly circumscribed infiltrating tumour centred on the dermis (Figure 1). Cords and nodules of atypical epithelial cells can be seen dissecting between collagen bundles (Figure 2). These may show evidence of duct or gland formation (Figure 3), and may be set in a mucinous stroma (Figure 4). Vascular and lymphatic permeation may be evident in the telangiectoides and erysipeloides variants of breast metastases.

Metastatic adenocarcinoma pathology

Special stains and differential diagnosis of metastatic adenocarcinoma

While there is no substitute for clinical correlation and staging investigations, immunohistochemistry can provide clues to the site of origin, and help discriminate from primary cutaneous adnexal tumours. While never entirely specific, general rules are outlined below.

  • P63: Positive more commonly in primary cutaneous adnexal tumours.
  • CK7-/CK20+: Suggestive of gastrointestinal origin
  • CK7+/CK20-: Suggestive of lung origin
  • CK7: Focal staining suggestive of primary cutaneous adnexal tumour vs strong and diffuse staining in metastatic adenocarcinoma
  • CK 5/6: Negative staining infrequently seen in primary cutaneous tumours
  • CDX2: Suggests gastrointestinal origin
  • Villin: Gastrointestinal, pancreatic or biliary origin.
  • ER, PR and GCDFP: Favour breast origin. Note that all have been seen expressed in primary adnexal tumours and metastatic lesions can lose staining ability.
  • Mammaglobin: Diffuse staining favours metastatic breast. Scattered positivity can be seen in primary cutaneous adnexal tumours.
  • PSA and prostatic acid phosphatase: Support prostatic origin
  • Podoplanin (D240): Negative staining suggests a metastatic lesion

 

References

  • Book: Skin Pathology (2nd edition, 2002). Weedon D
  • Book: Pathology of the Skin (3rd edition, 2005). McKee PH, J. Calonje JE, Granter SR
  • Plaza JA, Ortega PF, Stockman DL, Suster S. Value of p63 and podoplanin (D2-40) immunoreactivity in the distinction between primary cutaneous tumors and adenocarcinomas metastatic to the skin: a clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical study of 79 cases. J Cutan Pathol. 2010;37(4):403–10. doi:10.1111/j.1600-0560.2010.01517.x. PubMed
  • Fernandez-Flores A. Mammaglobin immunostaining in the differential diagnosis between cutaneous apocrine carcinoma and cutaneous metastasis from breast carcinoma. Cesk Patol. 2009;45(4):108–12. PubMed
  • Azoulay S, Adem C, Pelletier FL, Barete S, Francès C, Capron F. Skin metastases from unknown origin: role of immunohistochemistry in the evaluation of cutaneous metastases of carcinoma of unknown origin. J Cutan Pathol. 2005;32(8):561–6. doi:10.1111/j.0303-6987.2005.00386.x. PubMed
  • Cangelosi JJ, Nash JW, Prieto VG, Ivan D. Cutaneous adnexal tumor with an unusual presentation--discussion of a potential diagnostic pitfall. Am J Dermatopathol. 2009;31(3):278–81. doi:10.1097/DAD.0b013e31819ddccf. PubMed
  • Plumb SJ, Argenyi ZB, Stone MS, De Young BR. Cytokeratin 5/6 immunostaining in cutaneous adnexal neoplasms and metastatic adenocarcinoma. Am J Dermatopathol. 2004;26(6):447–51. doi:10.1097/00000372-200412000-00001. PubMed

On DermNet

Books about skin diseases

 

Related information

Sign up to the newsletter