title: Anogenital Mammary-Like Glands: A Study of Their Normal Histology With Emphasis on Glandular Depth, Presence of Columnar Epithelial Cells, and Distribution of Elastic Fibers.
abstract: The normal histology of anogenital mammary-like glands (AGMLG) has been studied previously, but some aspects, including glandular depth, presence of columnar epithelium resembling columnar cell change/hyperplasia as defined in mammary pathology, and distribution of elastic fibers, have not been previously investigated. To address these issues, we studied 148 AGMLG identified in 133 paraffin blocks sampled from 64 vulvar wide excision or vulvectomy specimens (64 patients, various indications for surgery). The depth of AGMLG ranged from 0.64 to 3.9 mm. Epithelial columnar cell change was noted in 33.1% of all AGMLG, whereas columnar cell hyperplasia was detected in 10.1%. Occasionally, combinations of cuboidal epithelium and columnar cell change were seen within 1 histological section. Of 22 specimens stained for elastic fibers, in only 6 (27.3%) cases were elastic fibers found around glands. Periductal elastic fibers were demonstrated around 3 of the only 5 ducts, which were available for analysis in slides stained for elastic fibers. The depth of AGMLG should be taken into account when planning topical and surgical therapies for lesions derived or evolving from AGMLG. Alterations identical to columnar cell change may represent a normal variation of AGMLG.
authors.affiliation: *Department of Pathology, Clinical Research and Practical Center for Specialized Oncological Care, Saint-Petersburg, Russia; †Department of Pathology, Medical Faculty, Saint-Petersburg State University, Saint-Petersburg, Russia; ‡Department of Pathology, Saint-Petersburg Medico-Social Institute, Saint-Petersburg, Russia; §Sikl's Department of Pathology, Medical Faculty in Pilsen, Charles University in Prague, Pilsen, Czech Republic; ¶Department of Dermatology, Medical Military Academy, Saint-Petersburg, Russia; ‖PathWest Laboratory Medicine WA, QEII Medical Centre, Nedlands, WA, Australia; **School of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia; ††Bioptical Laboratory, Pilsen, Czech Republic; and ‡‡Dermatopathology Unit, Department of Dermatology, Zurich University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Anastasia M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Konstantinova
authors.forename: Liubov
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kyrpychova
authors.forename: Irena E
authors.initials: IE
authors.lastname: Belousova
authors.forename: Dominic V
authors.initials: DV
authors.lastname: Spagnolo
authors.forename: Denisa
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kacerovska
authors.forename: Michal
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Michal
authors.forename: Katrin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kerl
authors.forename: Dmitry V
authors.initials: DV
authors.lastname: Kazakov
mesh_terms: D001003:Anal Canal / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D004547:Elastic Tissue / Q000166:cytology; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology; D005088:Exocrine Glands / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D014844:Vulva / Q000033:anatomy & histology