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Carcinoid pathology

Cutaneous carcinoid tumours represent metastases from primaries in the lung or gastrointestinal system.

Cutaneous features of carcinoid syndrome including flushing, rosacea, scleroderma and pellagra.

Histology of carcinoid

Microscopically tumours are composed of solid islands and nests of uniform cells. Thin collagenous septa extend between the tumour nests.

Gastric carcinoid pathology

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Images provided by Dr Duncan Lamont, Waikato Hospital

Special studies in carcinoid

Tumour cells are positive for neuron-specific enolase, chromogranin and synaptophysin.

On electron microscopy dense-core granules can be seen in the cytoplasm.

Differential diagnosis of carcinoid

Primary adnexal poroid neoplasm

Hailey-Hailey disease

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Related information

 

References:

• Weedon’s Skin Pathology (Third edition, 2010). David Weedon

On DermNet NZ:

• Carcinoid
• Dermatopathology index

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