Metastatic squamous cell carcinoma resembling angiosarcoma complicating dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa.
We report a patient with generalized recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB) who developed 3 squamous cell carcinomas. The tumours appeared simultaneously at acral sites on both upper limbs and were poorly differentiated. Despite surgery and radiotherapy the patient died from metastatic disease within 6 months of presentation. This case highlights many of the typical features of this complication of RDEB, including the overall poor prognosis. Of particular interest was the histology of one of the tumours which caused diagnostic difficulties: haematoxylin and eosin staining suggested an angiosarcomatous pathology, but the use of immunocytochemistry proved that the tumour was a squamous cell carcinoma in origin.
McGrath
J A
JA
Institute of Dermatology, United Medical School, St. Thomas' Hospital, London, UK.
Schofield
O M
OM
Mayou
B J
BJ
McKee
P H
PH
Eady
R A
RA
D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D016108:Epidermolysis Bullosa Dystrophica / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006394:Hemangiosarcoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary*