Perianal Paget's disease: a clinicopathological and immunohistochemical study of 13 cases

Anatomic Subtype Differences in Extramammary Paget Disease: A Meta-Analysis

Importance

Extramammary Paget disease (EMPD) is a rare, highly recurrent cutaneous malignant neoplasm of unclear origin. EMPD arises most commonly on the vulvar and penoscrotal skin. It is not presently known how anatomic subtype of EMPD affects disease presentation and management.

Objective

To compare demographic and tumor characteristics and treatment approaches for different EMPD subtypes. Recommendations for diagnosis and treatment are presented.

Data Sources

MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science Core Collection, and Cochrane Reviews CENTRAL from December 1, 1990, to October 24, 2022.

Study Selection

Articles were excluded if they were not in English, reported fewer than 3 patients, did not specify information by anatomic subtype, or contained no case-level data. Metastatic cases on presentation were also excluded.

Data Extraction and Synthesis

Abstracts of 1295 eligible articles were independently reviewed by 5 coauthors, and 135 articles retained. Reporting was in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) reporting guidelines. The analysis was cunducted in August 2019 and updated in November 2022.

Findings

Most vulvar EMPD cases were asymptomatic, and diagnosis was relatively delayed (mean, 25.1 months). Although most vulvar EMPD cases were intraepidermal (1247/1773 [70.3%]), radical surgeries were still performed in almost one-third of cases. Despite this aggressive surgical approach, 481 of 1423 (34%) recurred, commonly confined to the skin and mucosa (177/198 [89.4%]). By contrast, 152 of 1101 penoscrotal EMPD cases (14%) recurred, but more than one-third of these recurrences were regional or associated with distant metastases (54 of 152 [35.5%]). Perianal EMPD cases recurred in one-third of cases (74/218 [33.9%]), with one-third of these recurrences being regional or associated with distant metastasis (20 of 74 [27.0%]). Perianal EMPD also had the highest rate of invasive disease (50% of cases).

Conclusions and Relevance

The diagnosis and treatment of EMPD should differ based on anatomic subtypes. Considerations for updated practice may include less morbid treatments for vulvar EMPD, which is primarily epidermal, and close surveillance for local recurrence in vulvar EMPD and metastatic recurrence in perianal EMPD. Recurrences in penoscrotal subtype were less common, and selective surveillance in this subtype may be considered. Limitations of this study include the lack of replication cohorts and the exclusion of studies that did not stratify outcomes by anatomic subtype.

The elusive extremities: a case of extramammary Paget disease

Extramammary Paget disease is a rare dermatological condition resembling Paget disease that occurs most commonly in the anogenital area and axilla. We present the case of an elderly male who had come with complaints of an itchy, erythematous and raised lesion in the perianal region for 3 months that did not respond to antifungals. A biopsy was taken from the lesion site and the diagnosis was confirmed by histopathological examination. It is important to be aware of conditions like extramammary Paget disease when an elderly individual presents with a non-specific pruritic lesion in the perianal area that is non-responsive to treatment; the diagnosis of which can be made only by doing a biopsy from the concerned site. This highlights the importance of histopathological examination in such ambiguous cases.

How to Surveil Perianal Paget's Disease: A Case Report

Perianal Paget's disease (PPD) is a rare manifestation of extramammary Paget's disease. It is characterized by the presence of malignant glandular epithelial cells within the squamous epithelium. There is a well-established but poorly understood association between PPD and underlying malignancy. Due to the rarity of the disease, there are no established guidelines for treatment or surveillance of PPD. We present the unusual case of a 73-year-old woman with primary PPD without an underlying malignant lesion. The rarity of the disease renders its management and surveillance an ongoing challenge. Our case of PPD without an underlying malignancy poses the question of the most appropriate surveillance for this rare disease.

Erythematous Plaque in the Left Axillary Region: A diagnostic challenge where dermoscopy can help

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Whole genome methylation sequencing reveals epigenetic landscape and abnormal expression of FABP5 in extramammary Paget's disease

BACKGROUND

Extramammary Paget's disease (EMPD) is a rare cutaneous malignant tumor with a high recurrence rate after surgery. However, the genetic and epigenetic alterations underlying its pathogenesis remain unknown. DNA methylation is an important epigenetic modification involved in many biological processes.

METHODS

In this study, enzymatic methyl-sequencing (EM-seq) technique was used to investigate the landscape of genome-wide DNA methylation from three pairs of tumor tissues and adjacent tissues of patients with EMPD. Additionally, we conducted histopathological examinations to assess the expression of fatty acid-binding protein 5 (FABP5) in another three paired samples from EMPD patients.

RESULTS

The cluster analysis showed the good quality of the samples. A differential methylation region (DMR) heat map was used to quantitatively characterize genome-wide methylation differences between tumors and controls. Global DNA methylation level is lower in EMPD tissue compared to matched controls, indicating that DNA methylation discriminates between tumor and normal skin. And the top hypomethylation gene on the promoter region in tumor tissues was FABP5 on chromosome 8 with 38.44% decreased median methylation. We next identified the expression of FABP5 in paired tumors and adjacent tissues in three additional patients with EMPD. Immunofluorescence results showed FABP5 highly expressed in tumor tissues and co-located with CK7, CK20 and EMA. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis showed DMR genes on promoter are mainly enriched in the calcium ion transport, GTPase mediated signal transduction, Rap1 signaling pathway and GnRH signaling pathway.

CONCLUSION

Taken together, our findings provide the first description of the whole genome methylation map of EMPD and identify FABP5 as a pathogenic target of EMPD.

Perianal Pagets disease complicated with lung adenocarcinoma and anal canal carcinoma: A case report and literature review

Perianal Paget's disease (PPD) is a rare malignant cutaneous tumor. This paper reported a case of PPD complicated by lung adenocarcinoma and anal canal cancer. The patient, a 76-year-old female, had been experiencing recurrent lower abdominal pain and perianal pruritus for the past 5 years. Upon physical examination, a cauliflower-like neoplasm in size of 5 cm×6 cm was observed on the right perianal skin, with local skin ulceration and a small amount of fluid discharge. The left perianal skin was also involved. In thoracoknee position, a hard mass was palpable in the rectal submucosa at 5-6 points 2 cm from the anal verge. Chest CT revealed multiple lesions in both lungs, indication of metastatic tumors. Further evaluation with fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography and computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) indicated multiple hypermetabolic nodules in the lungs, hypermetabolic lymph nodes throughout the body, early FDG uptake in a small patch of skin on the left hip, and increased FDG uptake in the anorectal region. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma. This resulted in the patient being diagnosed with PPD, lung adenocarcinoma, anal canal cancer, and systemic multiple lymph node metastasis. The combination of PPD with gastrointestinal tumors and other metachronous malignant tumors is highly prevalent. Colonoscopy, FDG-PET/CT, histopathology, and immunohistochemistry play crucial roles in early identification of local lymph node and distant involvement, facilitating the evaluation of potential malignant tumors and differential diagnosis. Treating methods for PPD are currently diverse, including postoperative combined or single chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy, and photodynamic therapy. As trerapeutical options continue to develop, the extent and efficacy of surgery need to be reassessed.

The European Society of Gynaecological Oncology (ESGO), the International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease (ISSVD), the European College for the Study of Vulval Disease (ECSVD), and the European Federation for Colposcopy (EFC) Consensus Statement on the Management of Vaginal Intraepithelial Neoplasia

ABSTRACT

The European Society of Gynaecological Oncology (ESGO), the International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease (ISSVD), the European College for the Study of Vulval Disease (ECSVD), and the European Federation for Colposcopy (EFC) developed consensus statements on pre-invasive vulvar lesions in order to improve the quality of care for patients with vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (VaIN). The management of VaIN varies according to the grade of the lesion: VaIN 1 (low grade vaginal squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL)) can be subjected to follow-up, while VaIN 2-3 (high-grade vaginal SIL) should be treated. Treatment needs individualization according to the patient's characteristics, disease extension and previous therapeutic procedures. Surgical excision is the mainstay of treatment and should be performed if invasion cannot be excluded. Total vaginectomy is used only in highly selected cases of extensive and persistent disease. Carbon dioxide (CO2) laser may be used as both an ablation method and an excisional one. Reported cure rates after laser excision and laser ablation are similar. Topical agents are useful for persistent, multifocal lesions or for patients who cannot undergo surgical treatment. Imiquimod was associated with the lowest recurrence rate, highest human papillomavirus (HPV) clearance, and can be considered the best topical approach. Trichloroacetic acid and 5-fluorouracil are historical options and should be discouraged. For VaIN after hysterectomy for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 3, laser vaporization and topical agents are not the best options, since they cannot reach epithelium buried in the vaginal scar. In these cases surgical options are preferable. Brachytherapy has a high overall success rate but due to late side effects should be reserved for poor surgical candidates, having multifocal disease, and with failed prior treatments. VaIN tends to recur and ensuring patient adherence to close follow-up visits is of the utmost importance. The first evaluation should be performed at 6 months with cytology and an HPV test during 2 years and annually thereafter. The implementation of vaccination against HPV infection is expected to contribute to the prevention of VaIN and thus cancer of the vagina. The effects of treatment can have an impact on quality of life and result in psychological and psychosexual issues which should be addressed. Patients with VaIN need clear and up-to-date information on a range of treatment options including risks and benefits, as well as the need for follow-up and the risk of recurrence.

The European Society of Gynaecological Oncology (ESGO), the International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease (ISSVD), the European College for the Study of Vulval Disease (ECSVD), and the European Federation for Colposcopy (EFC) consensus statement on the management of vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia

The European Society of Gynaecological Oncology (ESGO), the International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease (ISSVD), the European College for the Study of Vulval Disease (ECSVD), and the European Federation for Colposcopy (EFC) developed consensus statements on pre-invasive vulvar lesions in order to improve the quality of care for patients with vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (VaIN). The management of VaIN varies according to the grade of the lesion: VaIN 1 (low grade vaginal squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL)) can be subjected to follow-up, while VaIN 2-3 (high-grade vaginal SIL) should be treated. Treatment needs individualization according to the patient's characteristics, disease extension and previous therapeutic procedures. Surgical excision is the mainstay of treatment and should be performed if invasion cannot be excluded. Total vaginectomy is used only in highly selected cases of extensive and persistent disease. Carbon dioxide (CO₂) laser may be used as both an ablation method and an excisional one. Reported cure rates after laser excision and laser ablation are similar. Topical agents are useful for persistent, multifocal lesions or for patients who cannot undergo surgical treatment. Imiquimod was associated with the lowest recurrence rate, highest human papillomavirus (HPV) clearance, and can be considered the best topical approach. Trichloroacetic acid and 5-fluorouracil are historical options and should be discouraged. For VaIN after hysterectomy for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 3, laser vaporization and topical agents are not the best options, since they cannot reach epithelium buried in the vaginal scar. In these cases surgical options are preferable. Brachytherapy has a high overall success rate but due to late side effects should be reserved for poor surgical candidates, having multifocal disease, and with failed prior treatments. VaIN tends to recur and ensuring patient adherence to close follow-up visits is of the utmost importance. The first evaluation should be performed at 6 months with cytology and an HPV test during 2 years and annually thereafter. The implementation of vaccination against HPV infection is expected to contribute to the prevention of VaIN and thus cancer of the vagina. The effects of treatment can have an impact on quality of life and result in psychological and psychosexual issues which should be addressed. Patients with VaIN need clear and up-to-date information on a range of treatment options including risks and benefits, as well as the need for follow-up and the risk of recurrence.

Paget cells of the esophagus: A clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical study of 10 cases

OBJECTIVES

Extramammary Paget's disease (EMPD) of the esophagus is very rare and the clinicopathologic features are not well characterized.

DESIGN

We analyzed 10 cases with reported presence of Paget or Pagetoid tumor cells in the esophageal specimens collected between 2005 and 2018 at our institution.

RESULTS

The cohort included 7 males and 3 females with a median age of 67 years. Histologically, 7 cases were secondary Pagetoid spread of tumor cells directly from an underlying invasive adenocarcinoma (pADC) located at the distal esophagus, all CK7 + with variable intracytoplasmic mucin. The clinical course of those secondary cases was dependent on the underlying malignancies. Only 3 cases were primary, including 2 Pagetoid squamous cell carcinoma in-situ (pSqCCis) and 1 Pagetoid adenocarcinoma in-situ (pADCis) with focalstromal invasion. The primary cases showed similar clinical and endoscopic presentations. Immunohistochemically, the singly dispersed Paget or Pagetoid tumor cells frequently showed loss of E-cadherin and gain of vimentin expression. Seven cases, including 5 pADC, 1 pSqCCis and the pADCis showed aberrant p53 expression. Four patients, all pADC, died of disease at a median follow-up of 10 months, while the others were alive.

CONCLUSIONS

Paget or Pagetoid tumor cells in the esophagus can be primary or secondary to an invasive carcinoma. The clinical outcomes depend on the underlying malignancy and extensiveness of disease. Frequent p53 aberrancies and epithelium-mesenchymal transition likely play a role in the pathogenesis.

Anal intraepithelial neoplasia: a review of terminology, differential diagnoses, and patient management

Despite the knowledge of etiological association with high-risk human papilloma viruses and high-risk patient cohorts, the incidence of anal squamous cell carcinoma has continued to rise. The known precursor lesion (in particular, high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion) makes it amenable to screening and surveillance strategies. However, the diagnosis of anal intraepithelial neoplasia suffers from interpretation challenges leading to high interobserver variability, along with numerous differential diagnoses and lingering terminology issues. Proper treatment of anal lesions requires accurate diagnosis, and while a variety of modalities are available for treatment, the rate of recurrence remains high and each modality has its own set of side effects and complications. The aim of this review article is to outline the diagnostic considerations and provide practical tips for diagnosing anal squamous intraepithelial lesions.

The Clinical Characteristics and Prognostic Factors of Primary Extramammary Paget's Disease Treated with Surgery in Anogenital Regions: A Large Population Study from the SEER Database and Our Centre

BACKGROUND

Extramammary Paget's disease (EMPD) is a rare malignant cutaneous tumour that is commonly located in anogenital regions. The diagnosis of the disease is always delayed, and treatment is usually troublesome. This study aims to summarise the clinicopathological characteristics and the risk factors of prognosis for EMPD in anogenital regions, potentially providing evidence for the diagnosis and treatment of anogenital EMPD.

METHODS

688 patients were sourced from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) program between 1992 and 2021. In total, 176 participants from our centre from between 2011 and 2021 were included to investigate the characteristics and prognosis for EMPD in anogenital regions.

RESULTS

From the SEER program data, patient age of 65 years or older, metastasis of lymph nodes, Spanish-Hispanic-Latino race, diameter exceeding 10cm and lesions located anally were revealed as independent risk factors for shorter cancer-specific survival (CSS). However, the data from our centre highlighted that metastasis of lymph nodes and tumours extending through the epidermis are independent risk factors of shortened progression-free survival (PFS) and CSS of anogenital EMPD.

CONCLUSION

This synthesised study revealed that some characteristics are regarded as risk factors for poor clinical prognosis, which have potential value in formulating more normative and effective strategies for patients with EMPD in anogenital regions.

Extramammary paget disease of the penoscrotal region

Extramammary Paget disease is an uncommon slow growing intraepithelial malignant neoplasm. It can be classified into primary and secondary subtypes, with secondary subtype associated with underlying malignancy. Extramammary Paget disease of the penoscrotal region is extremely rare with very limited literature available describing its clinicopathologic characteristics. We present 6 cases of penoscrotal EMPD diagnosed at our academic medical center over a 20 year period. These included 5 cases of scrotal EMPD and 1 case of penile EMPD. The mean age at diagnosis was 68.6 yrs. (Range 61-78 years), One case of scrotal EMPD had history of renal cell carcinoma and prostatic adenocarcinoma, while one other case presented as recurrent EMPD with initial disease in the left groin. EMPD in the glans penis was associated with a history of urothelial carcinoma in the ureter with pagetoid spread. 3 cases had no progression of the disease till recent follow up, 2 were lost to follow up while 1 case rapidly deteriorated resulting in death. This case had bone metastatic and associated peritoneal carcinomatosis. Thus, Extramammary Paget disease of the penoscrotal area is extremely rare, can be primary or associated with visceral malignancies and usually tends to present at an older age. Peritoneal spread and distant metastasis are associated with rapid progression of the disease.

Unusual Manifestations of Vulval Paget Disease

Vulval extramammary Paget disease (vEMPD) is an uncommon epithelial malignancy that may arise within the vulva (primary vEMPD) or represent vulval skin involvement by a noncutaneous carcinoma (secondary vEMPD). Primary vEMPD is most often an in situ carcinoma arising within the epidermis but may be associated with dermal invasion (invasive vEMPD) or represent intraepidermal spread of an adenocarcinoma originating in vulval skin adnexa or anogenital mammary-like glands. The latter, termed mammary gland-like adenocarcinoma (MGLA), exhibits morphologic, immunohistochemical, and molecular features of various breast carcinomas but, as far as we are aware, the metaplastic variant of MGLA has not been reported on the vulva. We report 2 cases of metaplastic MGLA of the vulva with associated Paget disease and postulate that some cases of vulval MGLA may arise from Paget disease rather than originating in mammary-like glands. We also report a unique case of secondary vEMPD resulting from spread of urothelial carcinoma in situ that subsequently progressed to invasive urothelial carcinoma within the vulva.

The European Society of Gynaecological Oncology (ESGO), the International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease (ISSVD), the European College for the Study of Vulval Disease (ECSVD) and the European Federation for Colposcopy (EFC) consensus statements on pre-invasive vulvar lesions

The European Society of Gynaecological Oncology (ESGO), the International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease (ISSVD), the European College for the Study of Vulval Disease (ECSVD), and the European Federation for Colposcopy (EFC) developed consensus statements on pre-invasive vulvar lesions in order to improve the quality of care for patients with vulvar squamous intraepithelial neoplasia, vulvar Paget disease in situ, and melanoma in situ. For differentiated vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (dVIN), an excisional procedure must always be adopted. For vulvar high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (VHSIL), both excisional procedures and ablative ones can be used. The latter can be considered for anatomy and function preservation and must be preceded by several representative biopsies to exclude malignancy. Medical treatment (imiquimod or cidofovir) can be considered for VHSIL. Recent studies favor an approach of using imiquimod in vulvar Paget's disease. Surgery must take into consideration that the extension of the disease is usually wider than what is evident in the skin. A 2 cm margin is usually considered necessary. A wide local excision with 1 cm free surgical margins is recommended for melanoma in situ. Following treatment of pre-invasive vulvar lesions, women should be seen on a regular basis for careful clinical assessment, including biopsy of any suspicious area. Follow-up should be modulated according to the risk of recurrence (type of lesion, patient age and immunological conditions, other associated lower genital tract lesions).

The European Society of Gynaecological Oncology (ESGO), the International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease (ISSVD), the European College for the Study of Vulval Disease (ECSVD) and the European Federation for Colposcopy (EFC) Consensus Statements on Pre-invasive Vulvar Lesions

ABSTRACT

The European Society of Gynaecological Oncology (ESGO), the International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease (ISSVD), the European College for the Study of Vulval Disease (ECSVD), and the European Federation for Colposcopy (EFC) developed consensus statements on pre-invasive vulvar lesions in order to improve the quality of care for patients with vulvar squamous intraepithelial neoplasia, vulvar Paget disease in situ, and melanoma in situ. For differentiated vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (dVIN), an excisional procedure must always be adopted. For vulvar high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (VHSIL), both excisional procedures and ablative ones can be used. The latter can be considered for anatomy and function preservation and must be preceded by several representative biopsies to exclude malignancy. Medical treatment (imiquimod or cidofovir) can be considered for VHSIL. Recent studies favor an approach of using imiquimod in vulvar Paget's disease. Surgery must take into consideration that the extension of the disease is usually wider than what is evident in the skin. A 2 cm margin is usually considered necessary. A wide local excision with 1 cm free surgical margins is recommended for melanoma in situ. Following treatment of pre-invasive vulvar lesions, women should be seen on a regular basis for careful clinical assessment, including biopsy of any suspicious area. Follow-up should be modulated according to the risk of recurrence (type of lesion, patient age and immunological conditions, other associated lower genital tract lesions).

Hepatic metastasis from perianal Paget's disease without identified underlying carcinoma: a case report

Background

Perianal Paget’s disease (PPD) is a rare malignancy, often associated with an underlying adenocarcinoma and a poor prognosis.

Case presentation

A 69-year-old female was presented with a history of perianal pruritus for 6 months and enlarged inguinal lymph nodes in the left side. Paget cells were confirmed by pathology after a wide excision of perianal skin. Radiotherapy was performed covering the bilateral inguinal lymphatic drainage area. Hepatic metastasis was found 8 months after surgery. Hepatic artery embolization (HAE) and high-intensity focused ultrasound therapy (HIFU) were performed successively. However, hepatic metastasis happened again 3 months later. Ultrasound-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (PRFA) was carried out and various means of inspection could not identify the primary tumor. In the case of rapid progression of the tumor, we gave the patient chemotherapy regimens of XELOX. After 4 cycles of chemotherapy, the tumor marker went down continuously and the hepatic metastasis stayed stable.

Conclusions

Hepatic metastasis from perianal Paget’s disease without identified underlying carcinoma may benefit from XELOX on the basis of adenocarcinoma.

Characteristic Clinicopathological Features of Secondary Extramammary Paget Disease With Underlying Anorectal Adenocarcinoma: Evenly Circumferential Perianal Distribution, Fibroepithelioma of Pinkus-like Changes, and Subepidermal Mucin Deposits Without Invasive Tumor Cells

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to identify the clinical and histopathological characteristics of secondary extramammary Paget disease (EMPD) with underlying anorectal adenocarcinoma so as to differentiate it from primary cutaneous EMPD. Seventeen and 8 cases of primary and secondary EMPD with anorectal adenocarcinoma, respectively, were retrieved from the pathology archive and the clinical and histopathological features reviewed. The tumor samples from 21 cases were totally resected specimens, whereas 3 and 1 of secondary and primary cases were punch biopsied, respectively. All 8 (100%) cases of secondary EMPD presented evenly distributed perianal lesions. By contrast, 4 of 17 (23.5%) primary EMPD cases had perianal skin lesions and displayed an uneven, asymmetrical distribution around the anus. Fibroepithelioma of Pinkus-like changes and subepidermal mucin deposits with no or few invasive tumor cells were observed in 6 (75%) and 3 (37.5%) of the 8 secondary EMPD cases, respectively, although 3 secondary case samples were small biopsy specimens. Both the histopathological changes were not observed in any of the 17 primary EMPD cases. Evenly circumferential perianal distribution, fibroepithelioma of Pinkus-like changes, and subepidermal mucin deposits without invasive tumor cells were characteristic to cases of secondary EMPD with anorectal adenocarcinoma. These clinicopathological features could be used to differentiate between secondary and primary EMPD.

Extramammary Paget's Disease: Diagnosis, Pathogenesis, and Treatment with Focus on Recent Developments

Extramammary Paget’s disease (EMPD) is a rare neoplasm that usually develops in apocrine gland-bearing areas, such as the vulva, scrotum, and penis. EMPD may present with a focal, multifocal, or an ectopic lesion. Clinically, EMPD lesions often exhibit infiltrative erythema, which is sometimes similar to other skin disorders such as eczema. While primary EMPD arises as intraepithelial neoplasm of the epidermis, EMPD-like lesions may occur from epidermotropic spread of malignant cells or direct extension from an underlying internal neoplasm, known as secondary EMPD. Because treatment strategies differ for primary EMPD and secondary EMPD, accurate diagnosis based on detailed histopathological evaluation is required. In the early stages, EMPD usually shows indolent growth, and most cases are diagnosed as carcinoma in situ. However, invasive lesions may result in metastases, and deep invasion is associated with high incidence of metastases. Conventional chemotherapies have been used for EMPD treatment in patients with distant metastases, but the efficacy is not satisfactory, and the prognosis for such patients remains poor. Recent studies have provided various insights into the molecular pathogenesis of the development and advancement of EMPD, which may lead to novel treatment approaches for metastatic EMPD. This review addresses the diagnosis, pathogenesis, and treatment of EMPD with focus on recent progress in understanding this disease.

Perianal Paget's disease: one century later and still a challenge

Perianal Paget disease (PPD) is a rare neoplastic condition defined by the presence of atypical Paget cells in the perianal skin, the aetiology of which remains largely unknown. It can be divided in primary forms, arising as an intraepithelial disease or manifestation of an underlying skin adenocarcinoma or secondary forms resulting from epidermotropic spread or metastasis of a concealed carcinoma. Indeed, because of its rarity, clear options regarding the treatment of these patients are yet to be clarified. A high level of suspicion is needed whenever dealing with any unhealed perianal skin lesions and, therefore, the need for close long-term follow-up must be highlighted. Herein, two cases of PPD, one primary and another secondary, treated at the same institution, are presented in an attempt to document the involved complexity and to bring further insight into the understanding of this entity.

An Unusual Case of Human Papillomavirus-Related Anorectal Adenocarcinoma With Progression to Perianal Paget's Disease

Primary adenocarcinoma of the anorectum, compared with squamous cell carcinoma, is a rarer and more aggressive malignant neoplasm. Infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) has been identified as a causal agent in a variety of tumors, including those of the cervix, head and neck, and anogenital region, especially squamous cell carcinoma. However, the relationship between HPV and anorectal adenocarcinoma has not been well studied. In this article, we report an HPV-related anorectal adenocarcinoma arising in a tubulovillous adenoma in a 76 years old female who presented initially with lower gastrointestinal bleeding. The carcinoma cells were positive for cytokeratin 7 and p16 by immunohistochemistry. High-risk HPV RNA in situ hybridization was positive. A follow-up examination of the anal area showed perianal plaques. Histologically, the excision of the perianal lesion showed intraepithelial infiltration by sheets and clusters of large atypical neoplastic cells. The neoplastic cells showed the same immunoprofile compared with the anorectal adenocarcinoma with p16 and high-risk HPV positivity. The findings are consistent with extramammary perianal Paget's disease secondary to anorectal adenocarcinoma. HPV-related adenocarcinoma in the anorectum is a newly recognized entity and was previously considered clinically indolent. Our case uniquely exhibits adenoma-carcinoma-perianal Paget's disease sequence, which has not been reported before. Our findings suggest that evaluation of the patient's lower genital tract for any HPV-associated lesions and long-term follow-up are required to monitor the disease progression in this type of malignancy.

Perianal Paget's disease as spread from non-invasive colorectal adenomas

AIMS

Paget's disease of the perianal skin is a rare form of extramammary Paget's disease, and may be a primary intraepithelial adnexal neoplasm or secondary due to spread from an underlying colorectal lesion, nearly always colorectal adenocarcinoma. Secondary perianal Paget's disease associated with non-invasive colorectal adenomas is exceedingly uncommon, with only a few reported cases.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Herein, we present the clinical and pathological features of the largest series of secondary perianal Paget's disease arising in association with colorectal adenomas. There was gender parity and the median age was 72 years (range = 68-76 years). In all cases, perianal Paget's disease was associated with colorectal adenomas, including three (75%) conventional tubular adenomas and one (25%) tubulovillous adenoma with serrated foci. All adenomas had high-grade dysplasia and one had intramucosal adenocarcinoma (lamina propria invasion; Tis), but all lacked submucosal invasion. The intraepithelial Paget's cells showed a colorectal phenotype by immunohistochemistry in all cases. At follow-up, two patients had no evidence of disease at 6 and 87 months, one had residual perianal Paget's disease at 8 months and one developed invasive adenocarcinoma of the perianal tissue at 36 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Similar to its mammary analogue, secondary perianal Paget's disease may arise in association with invasive and/or in-situ colorectal lesions. Although the latter is an uncommon presentation of a recognised rare disease, knowledge of this phenomenon is important to forestall overdiagnosis of invasion and potential overtreatment. The clinical course is variable, such that close follow-up is required.