Microcystic adnexal carcinoma: report of a case

Recurrent facial microcystic adnexal carcinoma and hair transplantation on scar site

Microcystic adnexal carcinoma (MAC) is a rare kind of cutaneous neoplasm with a very aggressive local infiltration that destructs the affected tissues. Its rate of recurrence is high and it mostly involves the face and scalp regions and most of the patients get affected in the fourth or fifth decades of their life. Here in, we report a 61-year-old woman with a right-sided eyebrow MAC lesion with recurrency. Total excisional surgery was performed. A-T Flap surgery was applied on the involved area, and after a 2-year period of follow-up, with no recurrency, hair transplantation with follicular unit transplantation method was successfully performed on the scarred area. Although microcystic adnexal carcinoma is an uncommon neoplasm; dermatologists and ophthalmologists should consider it as a differential diagnosis, due to its aggressive local infiltration. Complete surgical excision and long-term follow-up must be applied to manage the disease. Also, hair transplantation with follicular unit transplantation technique can be considered as a beneficial method for treating scars resulted from MAC excisional surgery.

Treatments for microcystic adnexal carcinoma--A review

INTRODUCTION

Microcystic adnexal carcinoma (MAC) is a rare malignant cutaneous neoplasm presenting as a slow-growing, indurated nodule, papule or plaque. Clinically, the lesion can blend into the surrounding skin, obscuring borders and consequently delaying diagnosis histologically. Surgical and histologic techniques that emphasize examination of all margins may optimize management through early diagnosis and prevention of recurrences.

OBJECTIVE

This review aims to assess the current surgical and histology techniques that result in lower rates of tumor recurrence and, consequently, better clinical outcomes.

METHODS

A literature search of the PubMed database was conducted to identify studies examining wide local excision (WLE), Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS), radiotherapy (RT) and chemotherapy in the treatment of MAC.

RESULTS

WLE had a high likelihood of positive margins and local recurrence. MMS was found to have the lowest recurrence rates. Definitive RT could be considered for elderly patients or those who are poor surgical candidates, as large surgical defects may be required to obtain free margins with either WLE or MMS. Chemotherapy was found to be ineffective.

CONCLUSION

Complete margin evaluation with MMS permits complete tumor removal with subsequently low recurrence rate.

Microcystic Adnexal Carcinoma with Mandibular Bone Marrow Involvement

Microcystic adnexal carcinoma is a rare, locally aggressive cutaneous neoplasm with a high probability of persistence locally but a low probability of metastasis. We report a case of a 69-year-old female patient with an indurated plaque at the mental region. Histologically, the tumor cells invaded the subcutaneous tissue and mandibular bone. The tumor consisted mainly of squamous and basaloid epithelial nests and cords embedded in a desmoplastic stroma. A few keratin-filled microcysts and ductal structures were also observed. Perineural encroachment was also noted but there was no mitosis, cytologic features of malignancy, or metastasis. The epithelial nests were positive to various cytokeratins except for CK20 and the lumina of the ductal structures were positive to carcinoembryonic antigen. Our results indicate that microcystic adnexal carcinoma consists of tumor cells capable of both follicular and eccrine differentiation. It is locally aggressive, extends far beyond its clinical presentation and may involve the bone. It may persist and remain asymptomatic for so many years without metastasis. A lifetime postsurgery monitoring is mandatory to ensure early and proper management.

Sweat duct carcinoma of lip with multiple cervical lymph nodes metastasis

Sclerosing sweat duct carcinoma (SSDC) is a rare cutaneous neoplasm. A 28-year-old man presented with 2-3 years history of a tetter on his upper lip, and a 3 cm x 4 cm lymph node was palpable in the left submandibular area. MRI showed a mass in the upper lip extending into the buccal mucosa and orbicular muscle, and multiple cervical lymph nodes metastasis on both sides was suspected. A biopsy was performed to have revealed syringomatous carcinoma. The patient underwent operation of extended removal of the upper lip along with right upper neck dissection and left radical neck dissection. 8 cm x 6 cm sized free forearm flap was used for the reconstruction of the lip. Postoperative course of the patient was uneventful and he has no signs of recurrence so far. Pertinent literatures on this rare tumor are reviewed.

Microcystic adnexal carcinoma involving a large portion of the face: when is surgery not reasonable?

BACKGROUND

We report a case of microcystic adnexal carcinoma (MAC) involving a large portion of the face, one of the largest of any MAC reported thus far in this area, and review the literature regarding the nature of the tumor and available treatments. We also review all of the reported cases of metastases and the possible role of radiation in the etiopathogenesis of this tumor.

OBJECTIVE

To review the literature about what is known about therapy for MAC and what options are available to patients who have this disease.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Case report and review of the literature.

RESULTS

Of the 274 cases of MAC thus far reported, there are 6 cases of metastases, only 1 of which resulted in death.

CONCLUSION

Mohs surgery should be the treatment of choice for this tumor; however, when extirpation entails sufficiently large morbidity, given the low rate of metastases and mortality, observation is a reasonable alternative.