Benign lymphoepithelial lesion associated with squamous cell carcinoma of the skin: an immunohistochemical and molecular genetic study.
BACKGROUND
Benign lymphoepithelial lesions (BLEL) are usually found in salivary glands in autoimmune disorders. Some LEL are recognized to already be, or may progress to become, lymphomas. Skin lesions similar to LEL have been described in lymphomas, and are caused by neoplastic lymphocytes which infiltrate adnexal structures. To date, BLEL have not widely been recognized in the skin.


METHODS
We describe skin lesions similar to BLELs, at the periphery of squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) in 8 healthy patients, in one of whom the lesion recurred. Immunocharacterization of both epithelial and lymphocytic components and molecular genetic investigation was performed. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis was done to detect IgH chain gene, and T-cell receptor beta and gamma gene rearrangements. Association with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) was also tested by in situ hybridization (ISH) for EBV-encoded RNAs (EBERs).


RESULTS
Epithelial cells showed the immunophenotype of eccrine sweat gland ducts. Infiltrating lymphocytes expressed overwhelming B antigens and CD5. Neither clonal B and/or T proliferations nor EBERs signals were demonstrable.


CONCLUSIONS
We observed skin lesions similar to BLELs, showing modifications of sweat gland duct and CD5+, B lymphocytic expansion. In our cases there were no associated autoimmune disorders; the local immunoresponse to SCC might have caused BLEL.
Miracco
Clelia
C
Institute of Pathological Anatomy and Histology, University of Siena, Siena, Italy. miracco@unisi.it
Schürfeld
Karin
K
Cardone
Concetta
C
Palummo
Nazzareno
N
Pirtoli
Luigi
L
Rubegni
Pietro
P
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000378:metabolism; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism; D018956:CD5 Antigens / Q000378:metabolism; D051925:CD79 Antigens; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis; D004439:Eccrine Glands / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008221:Lymphoid Tissue / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D008232:Lymphoproliferative Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011947:Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell / Q000378:metabolism; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*
D015703:Antigens, CD; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D018956:CD5 Antigens; D051925:CD79 Antigens; C497881:CD79A protein, human; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D011947:Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell