title: Signet ring cell carcinoma of the eyelid - the monocle tumour.
abstract: We report the clinical and histopathological characteristics of two cases of signet ring cell carcinoma of the eye lids, and discuss the histogenesis of this neoplasm. Two 72-year-old Caucasian males both presented with slowly growing tumours of the eyelids. The tumours were excised and specimens were examined using light- and transmission electron microscopic techniques. Clinically, the tumours infiltrated both eyelids on one side of the face with swelling and periocular inflammation, creating a monocle-like appearance. Extensive clinical work-up excluded periocular metastases. Histopathologically, the tumours were composed of rather bland cells with mainly histiocytoid morphology. A minor proportion had a signet ring cell appearance. The cytoplasmic inclusions giving the signet ring morphology were PAS- and colloidal iron positive. The tumour cells reacted with antibodies against cytokeratins, carcinoembryonic antigen, epithelial membrane antigen, gross cystic disease fluid protein-15 and lysozyme. Transmission electron microscopy demonstrated tumour cells containing intracytoplasmic vacuoles lined by microvilli. The tumour cells aggregated in duct-like clusters. A diagnosis of primary signet ring cell carcinoma was made in both cases. Histopathological, immunohistological and ultrastructural findings indicated that the tumours were of sweat gland origin.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Neuroscience and Pharmacology, Section of Eye Pathology, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Anouck Leuba
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Mortensen
authors.forename: Steffen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Heegaard
authors.forename: Ole
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Clemmensen
authors.forename: Jan Ulrik
authors.initials: JU
authors.lastname: Prause
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D010131:Aminosalicylic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen / Q000378:metabolism; D018279:Carcinoma, Signet Ring Cell / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D005142:Eyelid Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D045586:Intranuclear Inclusion Bodies / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D058085:Iron Compounds / Q000378:metabolism; D007633:Keratins / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D008871:Microvilli / Q000648:ultrastructure; D018396:Mucin-1 / Q000378:metabolism; D009113:Muramidase / Q000378:metabolism; D013544:Sweat Gland Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D006023:Glycoproteins; D058085:Iron Compounds; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D018396:Mucin-1; C488892:PIP protein, human; D010131:Aminosalicylic Acid; D007633:Keratins; D009113:Muramidase