AN UNUSUAL CASE OF EARLY MALIGNANT TRANSFORMATION IN A SPIRADENOMA

BACKGROUND. Review of the literature reveals that malignant spiradenom as are rave and may be fatal, and typically manifest as rapid enlargem ent in long-standing spiradenomas. OBJECTIVE. The present tumor was re moved 2 months after it was first noted by the patient. A case of what we believe is the earliest stage of malignant transformation within s piradenoma is reported. METHODS. Case report and literature review. RE SULTS. The region with malignant transformation was characterized by n uclear pleomorphism, loss of two cell types, and increased mitotic act ivity with atypical mitoses. Small infiltrating duct-like structures w ere seen. The large aggregates and sheets of malignant cells described in long-standing tumors were not seen. CONCLUSION. We ascribe the ear ly detection of this tumor to increased public awareness of the import ance in seeking early treatment of skin lesions. Histologic examinatio n of this stage may eventually outnumber the now move commonly describ ed latter stages.