Microcystic adnexal carcinoma (MAC) is a relatively uncommon adnexal neoplasm that can demonstrate locally aggressive behavior; rare instances of metastatic lesions have been reported. We report a case of a 34-year-old black man with multiple primary MACs.
Case Report
An otherwise healthy 34-year-old black man presented for evaluation of a progressive lesion on the left thigh that had been diagnosed as lichen simplex chronicus 15 years earlier. The patient stated that the lesion had been there for approximately 19 years and had gotten progressively but not rapidly larger. Results of a physical examination revealed a 3-cm indurated hyperpigmented plaque with prominent scale (Figure 1). There were approximately 21 other lesions (of varying age by patient report); the most prominent lesion was located on the right shoulder (Figure 2). Other clinically similar lesions, ranging from less than 1 cm to about 10 cm, were noted on the hands, arms, shoulders, back, abdomen, thighs, and lower legs in both sun-exposed and non–sun-exposed areas. There were no lesions on the face.
Biopsy results revealed a microcystic adnexal carcinoma (MAC). Subsequent workup, including computed tomography, revealed 3 small areas of pleural thickening but no evidence of internal metastatic disease. The patient had no other significant medical history, and he reported no prior radiation therapy. He reported that none of his family members had a history of MAC. Eighteen months after the patient's lesions were first biopsied, no subsequent lesions had developed, and no substantial clinical progression of current lesions was noted; the patient remained in good health. Histology—Punch biopsy specimens were obtained of lesions in the upper left lateral thigh, lower left inner leg, and left web space between the thumb and index finger. An excisional specimen was available for the lesion from the left thigh. Biopsies of all 3 lesions showed similar histology (Figure 3). Examination results from the specimens at low power revealed mild to moderate psoriasiform epidermal hyperplasia with acanthosis, hyperkeratosis, and basilar hyperpigmentation, changes similarly encountered in lichen simplex chronicus. Larger cystic structures were immediately subadjacent in the superficial dermis, with follicular differentiation and cyst formation. Admixed were ductal structures consisting of basaloid cells, with eccrine differentiation consisting of cells with a moderate amount of pale ill-defined eosinophilic cytoplasm and oval hyperchromatic nuclei. Cytologic pleomorphism was not encountered.
Overall, the tumors demonstrated a stratified appearance, with larger cystic structures in the superficial dermis being replaced by smaller cysts and cords and nests of cells in the deeper dermis (Figure 4). In all specimens, there was extension into the subcutis. Perineural invasion was identified focally. In the superficial dermis of some of the specimens, the follicular cystic structures showed evidence of rupture, with keratin debris in the adjacent dermis and subsequent foreign body giant cell reaction. Results of immunoperoxidase tests on paraffin tissue showed the epithelial cells to be diffusely positive for cytokeratins (AE1/AE3) and carcinoembryonic antigen. Evaluations for the presence of estrogen and progesterone receptors both had negative results.
Comment
MAC is an uncommon adnexal malignancy with locally aggressive and infrequently metastatic behavior. Originally described by Goldstein et al,1 this lesion has a propensity for the centrofrontal area. Clinically, this neoplasm usually presents with an indurated plaque or nodule averaging 2 cm. MAC has been reported as long-standing in some patients, with an inclination for recurrence despite extensive surgical therapy. The lesions are infiltrative, and perineural invasion is frequent.2,3 Locoregional metastasis is an infrequent occurrence,4-8 and widespread metastasis has been described in only one case.9 Although MACs can arise in virtually any age group, most MACs occur in older individuals, with a reported average age of incidence between 44 and 64 years and an overall range of 11 to 90 years.3,10 Although a slight female predominance has been noted in some case series, overall the sexes are equally affected.11 A review of the cases of MAC in the slide files of our laboratory revealed a similar distribution, with an average age of 63 years and a 1:1 male-female ratio. Most of our cases also involved the face or neck, with this patient as the only case of MACs occurring elsewhere anatomically. The principle underlying risk factors for and etiologic influences of MAC are largely unknown. Several studies have noted that MACs are found predominantly on the left side of the face. The exact reason for this anatomic distribution is unclear, but it could be indicative of the fact that MAC has a tendency to develop in UV-exposed areas. A prior review has postulated that this distribution could be caused by sun exposure while driving; however, this theory has not been adequately tested because no comparisons have been made between incidence in the United States versus Australia or England where driving, and thereby sun exposure, occur on the right side.12 Prior radiation exposure also has been implicated as a potential risk factor, and several cases have described MAC occurring in an area of previous radiation therapy.13,14 Similarly, a potential explanation for a portion of these lesions occurring on the face is that several patients with MAC have had prior radiation therapy for facial acne.10,15 There also is a report in the literature of MACs occurring in the axilla in patients who received radiation therapy for breast cancer.3 Additionally, immunodeficiency has been implicated as an etiologic influence,4 and there is one report of documenting a familial influence with occurrence in 2 sisters.10 MAC is a rare tumor, and the lack of physician familiarity with it and limited biopsy sampling can frequently lead to misdiagnosis. As described in the current case, MAC clinically can present as a plaquelike, nodular, or cystlike tumor existing for many years and occasionally for decades. The overlying skin may appear unaffected or have slight lichenification, and ulceration is extremely uncommon. Often, the tumor is biopsied numerous times during several years before a correct diagnosis is made. As infrequent as MAC is, it is fleetingly rare in the black population. Only 3 case reports exist in the literature, and these lesions were all solitary.16-18 One of the cases was similar to ours in that the lesion was very large and long-standing; the lesion was present on the scalp for at least 31 years. The other 2 reported cases involved the scalp and upper lip, and the lesions in both cases were smaller than 2 cm.16-18 The histologic similarities of MAC with other basaloid tumors, combined with its indistinct clinical appearance, can lead to misdiagnosis. MACs typically demonstrate histology results similar to our case. The Table lists both benign and malignant tumors that share histologic features with MAC. The histologic features that are most helpful in distinguishing MAC from these benign and malignant entities are a stratified histologic appearance with ductal differentiation and the presence of perineural involvement with deep dermal infiltration. Although a desmoplastic trichoepithelioma will commonly show similar 2-tier histology results, with the presence of superficial keratocysts and a deeper basaloid infiltrative cell population, the condition will not have deep dermal involvement, ductal differentiation, or perineural involvement. Perineural involvement also will not be demonstrated in syringoma or trichoadenoma. Although deep dermal involvement and perineural invasion can be seen in the 3 malignant entities included in the Table, the histology results of these conditions typically will not show a stratified appearance. Basal cell carcinoma, in addition, rarely demonstrates ductal differentiation in the morpheic or infiltrative form.11