Histiocytoid variant of eccrine sweat gland carcinoma of the eyelid and orbit: report of five cases.
OBJECTIVE
To study the clinicopathologic features of the histiocytoid variant of adenocarcinoma of the eccrine sweat gland of the eye and orbit.


METHODS
Retrospective case series.


METHODS
Five patients undergoing orbital and eyelid biopsy as a diagnostic procedure.


METHODS
The authors examined the clinical histories and pathologic findings of five patients with eccrine adenocarcinoma of the eyelid with orbital invasion.


METHODS
Clinical and histopathologic examinations, including routine histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and electron microscopy studies.


RESULTS
The tumors presented as insidious, diffusely infiltrative, firm cutaneous masses in the periocular area that later infiltrated the orbit. Histopathologic examination revealed that the tumors infiltrated the dermis and were composed of cells with a histiocytic to signet ring appearance. Tumor cells exhibited intracellular mucin production. Immunohistochemical stains were positive in tumor cells for low and high molecular weight cytokeratins, carcinoembryonic antigen, and epithelial membrane antigen. Electron microscopic examination showed lumen formation and intracytoplasmic mucin in tumor cells.


CONCLUSIONS
The histiocytoid variant of adenocarcinoma of the eccrine sweat gland of the eyelid may present as an insidious tumor and diffusely invade the orbit. These cases may be confused with metastatic adenocarcinoma.
Kramer
Theresa R
TR
Department of Ophthalmology, Eye Center, Emory University School of Medicine, 1365-B Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
Grossniklaus
Hans E
HE
McLean
Ian W
IW
Orcutt
James
J
Green
W Richard
WR
Iliff
Nicholas T
NT
Tressera
Francesc
F
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology*; D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D004439:Eccrine Glands; D005142:Eyelid Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018396:Mucin-1 / Q000378:metabolism; D009077:Mucins / Q000032:analysis; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009918:Orbital Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013544:Sweat Gland Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen; D018396:Mucin-1; D009077:Mucins