Abstract: Sex hormones are known to be associated with increases of melanocytes and melanin production in human skin. However, the expression of estrogen receptor (ERalpha) in melanocytic lesions has been controversial. In 1996, a new subset of estrogen receptor was cloned, and named estrogen receptor beta (ERbeta). We used immunohistochemical staining to characterize the expression of ERalpha and ERbeta in normal skin and in melanocytic lesions. Normal sebaceous glands and hair follicles were positive for ERalpha and ERbeta. Other adnexal structures and constituents in the skin were positive for ERbeta, but not for ERalpha. Melanocytic nevi and malignant melanomas were negative for ERalpha, but both were positive for ERbeta. The ubiquitous expression of ERbeta may play a fundamental role in various normal skin cells and melanocytic tumors.
Abstract: The common mesenchymal elements of apocrine mixed tumor of the skin are mucin and chondroid tissue. An apocrine mixed tumor of the skin with extensive adipose content is reported. A 56-year-old Japanese man presented with a subcutaneous mass in the glabella region that was 1 cm in diameter and had developed within the preceding 5 years. Light microscopic examination showed a well-circumscribed and encapsulated subcutaneous tumor composed of tubular structures with apocrine secretion and mucin as well as extensive adipose tissue. This case, in light of another recently reported case, indicates that adipose tissue can be the major mesenchymal element in apocrine mixed tumor of the skin.
Abstract: Normal skin is composed in part of cells that express CD34. These include periadnexal spindle cells, vascular endothelial cells, and interstitial dendritic cells. We report on a tumor composed mainly of CD34-reactive spindle cells. A 66-year-old Japanese woman presented with a skin-colored, dome-shaped, cutaneous papule on her left palm that was 7 mm in diameter and had developed within the preceding 3 months. Light microscopic examination showed a well-circumscribed polypoid tumor consisting of spindle-shaped cells and thin collagen fibers arranged loosely in a fascicular pattern within a myxoid matrix. Immunohistochemically, most of the tumor cells stained strongly for CD34, but did not stain with antibodies to S-100 protein, smooth muscle actin, desmin, neuron-specific enolase, epithelial membrane antigen, or factor XIIIa. Staining for vimentin and CD68 was positive. We believe this lesion to be a CD34-reactive myxoid dermal dendrocytoma of a type that has not been described previously.
Abstract: A 54-year-old Japanese female developed granuloma annulare twice in herpes zoster scars. Soon after the second event, she developed ulcerative colitis, which was well controlled by sulfonamides and corticosteroid suppository. She had no history of diabetes mellitus. There was no recurrence of granuloma annulare by June of 1999. Granuloma annulare might have contributed to the complications of ulcerative colitis, although this had not been noticed before.
