title: Dermal squamomelano-cytic tumor: neoplasm of uncertain biological potential.
abstract: We report a case of exceedingly rare cutaneous neoplasm with histological features of malignancy and uncertain biological potential. The nodular, darkly pigmented facial tumor with central exulceration, size 12 x 10 x 7 mm, of the skin 61-year-old man preauricular left was completely exised. Histologically tumor consists of atypical squamous cells, which express signs of moderate to significant pleomorphism, mitotically active, with foci forming of parakeratotic horn cysts ("pearls"). Characteristically tumor also consists of large number of atypical melanocytes with multifocal pattern, inserted between atypical squamous cells, and which contain large amount of dark brown pigment melanin. Immunohistochemically, squamous cells stain positively with keratin (CK116), melanocytes were stained with S -100 protein, HMB 45, and vimentin, but failed to stain with CK 116. To our knowledge this is the sixth reported case in world literature. The follow-up time of four years no evidence of recurrence or metastasis, similar all reported cases, but it is too short period in estimation to guarantee a benign course. However, it appears that this group of neoplasm may have different prognosis from pure squamous carcinoma or malignant melanoma.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
authors.forename: Mirsad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dorić
authors.forename: Svjetlana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Radović
authors.forename: Suada
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kuskunović
authors.forename: Ajna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hukić
authors.forename: Mirsad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Babić
authors.forename: Ivana
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Tomić
authors.forename: Ivan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Selak
mesh_terms: D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D005153:Facial Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007633:Keratins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008297:Male; D008495:Medical Oncology / Q000379:methods; D008544:Melanocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000473:pathology; D008545:Melanoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009418:S100 Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology*; D014746:Vimentin / Q000096:biosynthesis
chemical_list: D009418:S100 Proteins; D014746:Vimentin; D007633:Keratins