Primary cutaneous adenosquamous carcinoma: a case report and review of theliterature

Background: Adenosquamous carcinoma (ASC) of skin is a rare but distinctive neoplasm that usually exhibits an aggressive course. To date, 13 well-docu mented and undisputed cases of primary cutaneous ASC have been reported. Th is term has been used for tumors with better prognosis, such as mucoepiderm oid carcinomas and acantolytic squamous cell carcinomas, originating confus ion. We report a primary cutaneous ASC and review the literature. Methods: In this report a woman with primary ASC of the skin was studied. H istopathological examination and immunohistochemical stains were performed. Results: The tumor had two components: conventional squamous cell carcinoma merging with adenocarcinoma. After a local recurrence and lymph node metas tases, the patient has no evidence of disease 8 months later. Conclusions: Pathologists should reserve the term ASC for tumors exhibiting the above mentioned appearance. In such circumstances, a metastatic origin must always be excluded. (C) Munksgaard 2001.