Tumorlike eosinophilic granuloma of the skin

In 1952, Kuske reported on a patient with a peculiar tumor on the dorsum of the right hand; histological analysis revealed a dense dermal infiltrate w ith numerous eosinophils. Not aware of any similar case report in the liter ature, he coined the descriptive term "tumor-like eosinophilic granuloma of the skin." In 1995, a 55-year-old white man with cancer of the prostate pr esented with a 4-month history of two reddish-brown, solid skin tumors on h is left forearm and on the right side of his abdomen, respectively. Histolo gic examination revealed a dense, superficial and deep, tumorlike dermal in flammatory infiltrate consisting mainly of eosinophils as well as neutrophi ls and in part epithelioid, in part foamy histiocytes. Flame figures were a bsent. Immunohistochemical analysis was negative for S-100 protein, whereas sporadic cells in the infiltrate were CD1a positive and many mononuclear-h istiocytic cells reacted with MAC 387. Stains as well as cultures for bacte ria, mycobacteria, and fungi were negative. The descriptive diagnosis of tu morlike eosinophilic granuloma of the skin was made. Seven weeks after pros tatectomy, both tumors resolved spontaneously and so far has not recurred. In our opinion, this is the second report of Kuske's tumorlike eosinophilic granuloma of the skin. Perhaps tumorlike eosinophilic granuloma of the ski n, eosinophilic ulcer of the mucosa, and transient eosinophilic nodulomatos is should be considered a mucocutaneous reaction pattern as is seen in cats . In humans, hypersensitivity reactions or atopy could emerge as an etiolog ical link.