Extramammary Paget's Disease: A Report of 22 Cases in Chinese Males

Extramammary Paget's disease (EMPD) is more frequently seen in Caucasian females than in males (3.2:1 female: male ratio). During the past 14 year period, we have collected 22 patients, all Chinese males, with EMPD. They presented with eczema-like lesions in the early stages in the genital or perianal regions. Histological sections showed Paget cells within the epidermis or skin appendages and even within the dermis. No underlying adnexal carcinoma or adjacent internal carcinoma could be detected after thorough examinations. Mode of therapy and outcome are presented. EMPD seems to affect more males than females in Orientals. The incidence of concomitant malignancy in Chinese male patients with genital Paget's disease seems to be much lower than that in Caucasians. However, if EMPD involves the glans penis or perianal area, a search for internal malignancy is still warranted.     

Depigmented genital extramammary Paget's disease: a possible histogenetic link to Toker's clear cells and clear cell papulosis

BACKGROUND: The histogenesis of extramammary Paget's disease (EMPD) is still controversial. Benign pagetoid cells of the nipple first described by Toker and the similar clear cells found in white maculopapules of clear cell papulosis (CCP) have been proposed to be potential precursor cells giving rise to EMPD and primary intraepidermal Paget's disease in the nipple. The observation of a rare case of depigmented EMPD provided us with a chance to examine further the interesting Toker's clear cell/CCP hypothesis. METHODS: We performed pathologic studies, including Fontana-Masson stain and immunostaining for AE1/AE3 and S100P, on a new case of depigmented EMPD manifesting a 4 x 3 cm hypopigmented-depigmented patch on the root of the penis. RESULTS: The lesion showed extensive intraepithelial proliferation of atypical pagetoid cells with markedly reduced epidermal melaninization but nearly normal numbers of melanocytes. The tumor cells were strongly positive for AE1/AE3 by immunostaining. Some tumor cells displayed tadpole-like morphology resembling the pagetoid cells of CCP. Such morphology was not observed in two random examples of non-depigmented genital EMPD. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of tadpole-shaped pagetoid cells and depigmentation in the present case suggest that depigmented EMPD may be histogenetically related to CCP. Depigmented EMPD should be considered in the differential diagnosis of vitiligo, depigmented mycosis fungoides and lichen sclerosus located along the milk line.     

Mohs显微描记手术联合光动力疗法治疗会阴部乳房9bPaget病1例

目的报道Mohs显微描记手术联合5．氨基酮戊酸光动力疗法（ALA—PDT）治疗会阴部乳房外Paget病1例。方法于阴茎前段包皮水肿机化所致瘢痕挛缩狭窄处行“Z皮瓣”成形术,松解瘢痕;Mohs显微描记手术切除阴茎根部及阴囊上部的乳房外Paget病变组织,阴囊皮瓣修复创面;创面愈合拆线后5～7d开始对手术区域及周边范围进行ALA-PDT治疗,10d1次,4次为1个疗程。结果术后患者创面愈合良好,外观功能无异常,排尿障碍明显改善。术后随访2年,未见肿瘤复发和转移。结论Mohs显微描记手术是治疗乳房外Paget病的重要手段,ALA-PDT对于彻底清除肿瘤组织和降低复发率有一定作用。     

Extramammary Paget''s disease:

We examined 32 cases (38 lesions) of extramammary Paget's disease (EMPD) in relation to comparative studies on intraductal carcinoma of the breast (ductal carcinoma in situ, DCIS) and apocrine adenocarcinoma (AAC). Lesions included scrotum (18 lesions), vulva (8), axilla (6), groin (3), penis (2) and chest wall (1), and the distribution was compatible with that of apocrine or supernumerary mammary glands. Histologically, extra-mammary Paget's and DCIS cells exhibited a large amount of a pale-stained cytoplasm. The cytoplasm of AAC cells frequently contained granules, was eosinophilic and differed from that of Paget's or DCIS cells. Immunohistochemical studies revealed positive reactions for polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies to carcinoembryonic antigen in all EMPD and most DCIS, but not in AAC. Recent studies have shown that extramammary Paget's cells exhibit characteristics of glandular epithelial cells and that most cases of EMPD are not accompanied by an underlying carcinoma. The results obtained in this study, coupled with data on the frequency of the supernumerary breasts, lead to the speculation that extramammary Paget's cells originate from ectopic mammary glands or from pluripotential germinative cells in the epidermis, capable of differentiating toward the mammary glands.     

乳房外Paget病皮损中黏蛋白1和黏蛋白2的表达

目的 探讨黏蛋白1(MUC1)和黏蛋白2(MUC2)在乳房外Paget病(EMPD)中的表达情况.方法 生物素蛋白免疫组化法(SP法)检测19例EMPD皮损及19例美容切除术后正常皮肤组织上MUC1与MUC2的表达.结果 19例EMPD皮损常规HE染色显示,3例伴低分化腺癌,6例呈浸润性,10例为上皮内.MUC1在3例伴腺癌Paget病中有2例呈阳性表达,6例浸润性和10例上皮内Paget病均呈阳性表达.MUC2在3例伴腺癌Paget病和6例浸润性Paget病均呈阳性表达,在10例上皮内Paget病中有2例呈阳性表达.MUC1与MUC2在正常皮肤组织呈阴性表达.MUC1在上皮内Paget病中的表达显著高于伴腺癌Paget病和浸润性Paget病(P＜0.05).MUC2在伴腺癌Paget病和浸润性Paget病中的表达显著高于上皮内Paget病(P＜0.05).MUC1和MUC2的表达无明显相关性(r=-0.5,P＞0.05).结论 MUC1在EMPD中呈普遍表达,MUC2在伴有腺癌和浸润性EMPD中呈阳性表达.

Abstract：

Objective To study the expressions of mucin (MUC) 1 and 2 in extramammary Paget's disease(EMPD) lesions. Methods Tissue specimens were obtained from the lesions of 19 patients with EMPD and normal skin of 19 human controls during cosmetic surgery. Streptavidin-perosidase (SP) technique was used to detect the expressions of MUC1 and MUC2 in these specimens. Results As haematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining showed, 3 cases were accompanied by poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma, 6 were invasive Paget's disease and 10 were intraepithelial EMPD. MUC1 was expressed in 2 cases accompanied by poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma, and in all the cases of invasive and intraepithelial EMPD; MUC2 was observed in all the cases of adenocarcinoma-complicated EMPD and invasive EMPD, but only in 2 of 10 cases of intraepithelial EMPD.Neither MUC1 nor MUC2 was observed in normal control specimens. A significant increase was observed in the expression of MUC1 in lesions of intraepithelial EMPD compared with invasive EMPD and adenocarcinoma-complicated EMPD (both P ＜ 0.05), and in the expression of MUC2 in lesions of invasive EMPD and adenocarcinoma-complicated EMPD compared with intraepithelial EMPD (both P ＜ 0.05). The expression of MUC1 was uncorrelated to that of MUC2 (r= -0.5, P＞ 0.05). Conclusions MUC1 is generally expressed in the lesions of EMPD, while MUC2 is expressed in those of adenocarcinoma-complicated EMPD and invasive EMPD.     

乳房外Paget病中p-ATF2和p-STAT3的表达

目的探讨磷酸化活化转录因子2(p-ATF2)和磷酸化细胞信号传导与转录活化因子3(p-STAT3)在乳房外Paget病(EMPD)中的表达。方法采用免疫组化ABC法检测p-ATF2和p-STAT3在45例EMPD皮损石蜡包埋切片中的表达。结果在45例EMPD中,有43例高表达p-ATF2和p-STAT3。在8例进展性EMPD中,p-ATF2 (>95%)和p-STAT3(>92%)表达阳性细胞百分数均高于非进展性EMPD(P值均<0.01)。在EMPD中,p-ATF2阳性表达与p-STAT3阳性表达有高度相关性(r=0.97,P<0.001)。结论p-ATF2和p-STAT3在EMPD的发生和肿瘤进展机制中可能起一定的作用。     

Spa-1和Ki-67在乳房外Paget病肿瘤组织中的表达

目的 探讨Spa-1在乳房外Paget病发生和转移中可能的作用.方法 取17例原位乳房外Paget病和12例侵袭性乳房外Paget病患者皮损及9例正常人皮肤组织,用免疫组化分别检测Spa-1和Ki-67的表达.结果 Spa-1在胞质中显色,Ki-67在胞核中显色.Spa-1和Ki-67仅少量表达于正常人皮肤基底层,在乳房外Paget病肿瘤组织中的表达明显高于正常人皮肤(P<0.01).Spa-1在侵袭性乳房外Paget病肿瘤组织中表达明显高于原位乳房外Paget病(P<0.01).乳房外Paget病肿瘤组织中Spa-1的表达与Ki-67的表达呈正相关.结论 Spa-1在乳房外Paget病的发生发展中可能起作用.

Abstract：

Objective To investigate the potential role of Spa-1 in the development and metastasis of EMPD.Methods Tissue specimens were resected from 17 patients with primary EMPD,12 patients with invasive EMPD and 9 normal human controls.Immunohistochemistry was performed to measure the expression of spa-1 and Ki-67.Results Positive staining was observed for Spa-1 in cytoplasm,and for Ki-67 in cell nuclei.Spa-1 and Ki-67 were weakly expressed in the basal layer of normal skin.The expression of Spa-1 and Ki-67 in EMPD tissue were statistically higher than those in the normal control tissue (both P<0.01).Increased expression of Spa-1 was noted in invasive EMPD tissue compared with in situ EMPD tissue.The expression of Spa-1 was positively correlated with that of Ki-67 in the tissue of EMPD.Conclusion Spa-1 may play a certain role in the initiation and progression of EMPD.     

Concordant overexpression of p-FAK and p-ERK1/2 in extramammary Paget’s disease

Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is a tyrosine kinase which is at the crossroad of extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1/2 (ERK1/2), PI3K/Akt, MAPK and JAK/STAT signaling pathways. We have previously reported that p-ERK1/2, p-Akt, p38MAPK and p-STAT3 are overexpressed in extramammary Paget’s diseases (EMPD), this study aimed to examine the expression of phosphorylated (p)-FAK and p-ERK1/2 proteins in EMPD and to evaluate the relationships among them. Paraffin-embedded EMPD specimens (35 tissue samples from 33 patients with primary EMPD, including two samples of metastatic lymph nodes from two of the 33 patients) were subjected to immunohistochemical staining for p-FAK and p-ERK1/2. All of the 35 EMPD specimens, including all of six invasive EMPD and two metastatic lymph node specimens, showed cytoplasmic overexpression of p-FAK and nuclear overexpression of p-ERK1/2. The expression levels (% positive cells) of p-FAK and p-ERK1/2 (88.34 ± 14.66 and 91.26 ± 11.21%) in EMPD were significantly higher than those in normal skin (22.38 ± 2.13 and 29.00 ± 4.44%), respectively. The expression levels of p-FAK (95.38 ± 4.57%) and p-ERK1/2 (96.25 ± 5.01%) in the advanced EMPD showed slightly higher than that in the non-invasive EMPD (86.26 ± 15.99 and 89.78 ± 12.15%), respectively. There exhibited a significantly high positive correlation between expression levels of p-ERK1/2 and p-FAK in EMPD. The present study shows that the concordant overexpression of p-FAK and p-ERK1/2 in EMPD which is associated with the grade of malignancy of EMPD, indicating that p-FAK and p-ERK1/2 may play pivotal roles in the tumorigenesis and further malignant transduction of EMPD.     

Differential expression of two new members of the p53 family, p63 and p73, in extramammary Paget's disease

Background.  The proteins p53, p63 and p73 are known to be overexpressed and to play important roles in the pathogenesis of many tumours, but the expression of p63 and p73 has not previously been investigated in extramammary Paget's disease (EMPD).
Aim.  To investigate the potential contribution of p53, p63 and p73 in the pathogenesis of EMPD.
Methods.  In total, 35 paraffin wax-embedded tissue samples from patients with EMPD were examined using immunohistochemical staining for p53, p63 and p73.
Results.  All of the 35 EMPD specimens, including all 6 invasive EMPD and 2 metastatic lymph-node specimens, showed nuclear overexpression of both p53 and p73. The expression levels (percentage of positive cells) of p53 and p73 (90.66 ± 12.53% and 80.20 ± 13.07%) in EMPD were significantly higher than those of normal skin. There was a significant correlation between the expression levels of p53 and p73 in EMPD. In 29 of 35 EMPD specimens, there was no nuclear expression of p63, and weak or moderate staining was found in only 6 specimens. The expression level of p63 in EMPD was significantly less than that in normal skin.
Conclusions.  Our study shows that the concordant overexpression of p53 and p73 and the decreased expression of p63 may play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of EMPD. The decreased expression of p63 may play a more important role in the pathogenesis of EMPD than the overexpression of p53 and p73.     

Extramammary Paget's disease of the genitalia with clinically clear margins can be adequately resected with 1 cm margin

For the treatment of extramammary Paget's disease (EMPD), wide excision has been recommended because of unpredictable spread of tumor cells. EMPD lesions are often well circumscribed. Should all the lesions of EMPD be resected with a 3 cm margin? Forty-six patients with EMPD were surgically treated with a 1 cm margin. Width of tumor cell free area from the last lesional cells at the borders to the resected edge was measured with micro-oculometer. The microscopic gap between the histopathological tumor border and the clinical border scored by scalpel tract was also measured. The tumor cell free area measured 10.2 +/- 2.48 mm. The microscopic gap between the histopathological and clinical borders measured 0.334 +/- 1.183 mm. Thus, the clinically determined border of well-defined lesions of EMPD corresponded well to the histopathologic border. No local recurrence was observed in 24 to 115 months of follow-up. Well-demarcated lesions of EMPD can be adequately managed with 1 cm margin resection.     

Depigmented extramammary Paget's disease

BACKGROUND: Depigmented extramammary Paget's disease (EMPD) has been reported in a few cases. Depigmented macules or patches may be the only presenting sign or may coexist with the classical erythematous lesions. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the occurrence rate and clinical presentation of depigmentation in EMPD. METHODS: All pathology-proven cases of EMPD diagnosed in our department during 1990-2003 were retrieved. The clinical photographs were reviewed for evidence of local depigmentation. The pathological diagnosis of EMPD in the whitish lesions was confirmed by positive expression of cytokeratin 7 or carcinoembryonic antigen, and/or the presence of intracytoplasmic mucin. RESULTS: Of 19 cases of EMPD, six (30%) manifested depigmented lesions which were confirmed to be EMPD pathologically. In two patients, the hypopigmentation was associated with erythematous lesions at the initial presentation. In four others, the depigmentation developed later as local recurrence after excision, cryotherapy, photodynamic therapy or radiotherapy. The progressive enlargement of the depigmentation and the appearance of separate new white lesions in these four cases suggested that the localized depigmentation was unlikely to be simple postinflammatory hypopigmentation. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that depigmented EMPD may not be rare. Localized depigmentation in the genital area can be an early sign of EMPD and its local recurrence. In patients with an established diagnosis of EMPD, appearance of new white lesions and continuous enlargement of depigmented patches should not be dismissed as simple treatment-induced postinflammatory hypopigmentation or another type of hypopigmented lesion without biopsy confirmation.     

Extramammary Paget's Disease of External Genitalia with Bowenoid Features

Extramammary Paget''s disease (EMPD) is an uncommon intraepithelial adenocarcinoma, primarily affecting the apocrine-bearing skin. Bowen disease is an intraepithelial squamous cell carcinoma having the potential to become invasive carcinoma. The histopathological concomitant features between EMPD and Bowen disease have been described. One theory is that primary EMPD arises multicentrically, within the epidermis from the pluripotent stem cells. Herein, we describe a case of EMPD that had bowenoid features, and review the previous cases associated with the origin of EMPD.     

Extramammary Paget's disease: evaluation of the histopathological patterns of Paget cell proliferation in the epidermis

Extramammary Paget's disease (EMPD) is a rare malignant skin neoplasm. The prototypical pattern of tumor cell proliferation in the epidermis includes single cells and/or nest arrangements, mainly in the lower epidermis. Although other patterns have been recognized, they have not previously been investigated in detail. We aimed to examine the patterns of tumor cell proliferation in the epidermis. Surgical specimens were obtained from 38 patients with primary EMPD. We defined six patterns, in addition to the prototypical one: (i) glandular; (ii) acantholysis-like; (iii) upper nest; (iv) tall nest; (v) budding; and (vi) sheet-like. There were 26 males and 12 females (mean age, 75.0 years). Lesions were located on the scrotum (26 cases) and vulva (12). There were 22 in situ EMPD and 16 invasive EMPD. The frequencies of the different proliferation patterns were: glandular, 36.8%; acantholysis-like, 73.7%; upper nest, 68.4%; tall nest, 28.9%; budding, 47.4%; and sheet-like, 23.7%. Upper nest pattern and the presence of more than three patterns were significantly more frequent in invasive EMPD than in situ EMPD (P < 0.05). We identified the histopathological patterns of Paget cell proliferation in the epidermis in EMPD, and suggest that the characteristic patterns and the diversity of patterns could be associated with progression and dermal invasion in EMPD.     

Extramammary Paget disease successfully treated with topical imiquimod 5% and tazarotene

Extramammary Paget disease (EMPD) is an intraepithelial adenocarcinoma usually localized in areas rich in apocrine sweat glands. Surgery remains the treatment of choice for EMPD. However, several nonsurgical treatments have been also described. Around 40 cases of EMPD treated with imiquimod 5% have been published; of these, only six correspond to nonresponses. We describe a recurrent vulvar EMPD with failure to respond to topical imiquimod 5% in monotherapy but a favorable response to its association with tazarotene.     

Cyclin D1、PCNA和C-erbB-2在乳房外Paget病中的表达及意义

目的研究c7clin D1、PCNA和C—erbB-2在乳房外Paget病中的表达及意义。方法用免疫组织化学技术检测28例乳房外Paget病的石蜡包埋组织及12例正常皮肤组织中Cyclin D1、PCNA和C—erbB-2的表达。结果CyclinDI在乳厉外Paget病组织中阳性率（92．86％）高于正常皮肤对照组（8．33％）,两者差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）;PCNA在乳房外Paget病组织中阳性率（89．29％）显著高于正常皮肤对照组（16．67％）,两者差异有统计学意义（P〈0．01）;C—erbB-2在乳房外Paget病组织中阳性率（96．43％）高于正常皮肤对照组（8．33％）,两者差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。结论Cyclin D1、PCNA和C-erbB-2在乳房外Paget病组织中均呈高表达,其与乳房外Paget病的发生关系密切。     

Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator is helpful in the distinction of extra-mammary Paget's disease from squamous cell carcinoma in situ (Bowen's disease)

Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) represents a cAMP-dependent channel found in normal apocrine glands. The classification and histogenesis of extra-mammary Paget's disease (EMPD) remains controversial, but it is generally accepted that primary EMPD exhibits apocrine differentiation. Therefore, we examined the utility of CFTR in the differential diagnosis of EMPD and squamous cell carcinoma in situ (SCCIS). Twenty-five cases of SCCIS and 14 cases of EMPD were evaluated for immunohistochemical expression of CFTR. Expression was scored as 0 (<5% of cells positive), 1+ (5-75% of cells positive) or 2+ (>75% cells positive). Twenty-three of 25 cases of SCCIS showed no reactivity for CFTR, and the remaining 2 cases showed 1+ staining. Thirteen of 14 cases of EMPD showed 2+ staining, while 1 case showed 1+ staining. We recognize that the pathological appearance along with clinical history and site of occurrence are sufficient to distinguish EMPD and SCCIS in most instances. However, distinction between the two can become more challenging when the location and histopathology are not characteristic. We conclude that when an immunohistochemical panel is diagnostically necessary, the expression of CFTR favors a diagnosis of EMPD over SCCIS.     

EXTRAMAMMARY PAGET''S DISEASE AND PROSTATIC CARCINOMA

A patient with perianal extramammary Paget's disease (EMPD) occurring simultaneously with prostatic adenocarcinoma is presented. Four previously reported cases of genital EMPD associated with prostatic carcinoma are reviewed. The use of immunohistologic techniques to help establish the diagnosis in some cases, and the relationship of EMPD to underlying adenocarcinoma of sweat glands and of the lower urinary and gastrointestinal tracts is discussed. The importance of a directed search for internal malignancy in the individual patient with EMPD is emphasised.     

Extramammary Paget's disease: Summary of current knowledge

Extramammary Paget's disease (EMPD) is a rare cutaneous malignancy accounting for approximately 1% of vulvar cancers. The rarity of this disease has caused difficulties in its characterization. Controversies exist in the literature regarding many aspects of this condition including the prevalence of concurrent vulvar adenocarcinoma or invasive EMPD, association with regional and distant cancers, and recurrence rates following surgical excision. This extensive review takes a closer look at what is known about EMPD and the conclusions that have been drawn from this information. This article also provides a practical approach to patients with EMPD.