Co-occurrence of apocrine adenocarcinoma and invasive mammary-type ductal carcinoma in extramammary Paget disease of the axilla

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Arch Plast Surg. 2020;47(1):83-87

Publication date (electronic) : 2020 January 15

doi : https://doi.org/10.5999/aps.2019.01172

Seung Bin Jang¹, Sung-Eun Kim^,1, Young Ah Kim², Hye Ryeon Choi³

¹Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, School of Medicine, Catholic University of Daegu, Daegu, Korea

²Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Catholic University of Daegu, Daegu, Korea

³Department of Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea

Correspondence: Sung-Eun Kim Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, School of Medicine, Catholic University of Daegu, 33 Duryugongwon-ro 17-gil, Nam-gu, Daegu 42472, Korea Tel: +82-53-650-4578 Fax: +82-53-650-4584 E-mail: fdghfg26@cu.ac.kr

Received 2019 September 5; Revised 2019 October 30; Accepted 2019 October 30.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Extramammary Paget disease (EMPD) is a rare type of intraepithelial adenocarcinoma that often affects apocrine gland-bearing areas, such as the vulva, penis, scrotum, axilla, and even the eyelids [1]. EMPD is most commonly found in the vulvar area, which accounts for 65% of all cases. Although EMPD rarely affects the axilla, cases of axillary Paget disease have been reported in the literature [2].

EMPD is generally a solitary disease that arises from multipotent cells in the epidermis and can become invasive carcinoma. EMPD can occur in combination with underlying adenocarcinoma of the skin appendages [3]. Involvement of the adnexa is a common feature of EMPD. Most cases of EMPD with underlying adnexal carcinoma are found in the anogenital area, and few have been found in the axilla. Morgan et al. [4] reported a case of Paget disease coexisting with underlying invasive apocrine carcinoma in the unilateral axilla. Very rarely, EMPD has occurred in association with an underlying mammary-like carcinoma [5]. Villada et al. [3] reported a case of EMPD of the vulva with an underlying adenocarcinoma or mammary-like carcinoma that originated from an anogenital mammary-like gland. These mammary-like carcinomas of the vulva are extremely rare, and have been observed in fewer than 5% of EMPD cases [6]. Furthermore, no cases of axillary EMPD with apocrine adenocarcinoma accompanied by mammary-type carcinoma have yet been reported [4]. In this paper, we report a case of axillary EMPD accompanied by both apocrine adenocarcinoma and invasive mammary-type ductal carcinoma.

CASE

A 55-year-old woman was referred with a 2-year history of an erythematous, brownish pigmented plaque with erosion, scales, and ulceration in the left axilla (Fig. 1). Upon physical examination, the symmetry of the breasts was normal, without dominant nodules in either breast and with no evidence of nipple inversion or discharge. No evidence of lymphadenopathy was found, and the physical examination was within normal limits.

Fig. 1.

Preoperative photo

A 7.0×6.0 cm lesion on the left axilla with erythema, brownish pigmented plaque, erosion, and scales.

The patient had a personal history of uterine cervix carcinoma and had undergone a hysterectomy. She had no family history of breast cancer, but her father, sister, and brother each had a history of liver cancer.

A punch biopsy performed by a dermatologist was positive for Paget disease (Fig. 2). Evaluations to determine whether it was of primary or secondary origin were conducted using mammography, breast sonography, esophagogastroduodenoscopy, and colonoscopy. Additionally, a positron emission tomography-computed tomography scan was performed to evaluate the patients for distant metastases. No primary lesion or distant metastasis was found (Fig. 3).

Fig. 2.

Skin punch biopsy

Skin biopsy tissue shows the pagetoid spread of clear vacuolated cells in the epidermis (H&E, ×400). The tumor cells in the epidermis display polygonal nuclei with abundant cytoplasm. Some tumor cells have intracytoplasmic vacuoles (red arrow).

Fig. 3.

Preoperative PET-CT scan

PET-CT scan showing cutaneous thickening and a subcutaneous nodular lesion with heterogeneous hypermetabolism (SUV_max=4.65) in the left axilla.

PET-CT, positron emission tomography-computed tomography; SUV_max, maximum standardized uptake value.

EMPD can be invasive. In our patient, a wide excision with 2- to 3-cm margins was performed with an axillary sentinel lymph node excisional biopsy. We covered a large defect area of the axilla, using a thoracodorsal artery perforator (TDAP) flap for reconstruction (Fig. 4).

Fig. 4.

Postoperative photography (after 12 months)

No evidence of recurrence or other postoperative complications. No functional problem with the range of movement of the shoulder.

The histological findings of the excised lesion showed intraepidermal spreading of tumor cells involving the apocrine gland and perifollicular structure; additionally, neoplastic cells that displayed pagetoid spreading were noted in the epidermis (Fig. 5A and B). Some nested tumor cells resembling invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast were also noted (Fig. 5C and D).

Fig. 5.

Histological features

(A) The apocrine gland and perifollicular structure (red arrow) are affected by invasive carcinoma. Infiltrating tumor nests are also present (indicated by the square) (H&E, ×40). (B) Neoplastic cells exhibiting pagetoid spreading are noted in the epidermis (H&E, ×100). (C) Tumor cells display a non-glandular architecture and prominent nucleoli in variable-sized nuclei; these cells resemble high-grade invasive ductal carcinoma (H&E, ×400). (D) Some of the invasive lesion is composed of small nested or singly scattered tumor cells (red arrow) (H&E, ×400).

Immunohistochemical stains showed strong positive reactivity for cytokeratin 7, estrogen receptor, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2, as well as focal positive reactivity for gross cystic disease fluid protein 15. No reactivity was noted for epidermal growth factor receptor or progesterone receptor. The excision specimen was diagnosed as apocrine adenocarcinoma and invasive mammary-type ductal carcinoma with epidermal pagetoid spreading. Although the specimen resembled breast cancer, ectopic mammary tissue was not identified.

After the operation, chemotherapy was not performed. Instead, adjuvant radiotherapy was administered as treatment for adnexal cancer. At 12 months postoperatively, the patient had no evidence of recurrence or other postoperative complications. Additionally, she had no functional problems with the range of movement of the shoulder (Fig. 4).

DISCUSSION

Primary EMPD and mammary Paget disease (MPD) are similar in that both involve intraepithelial proliferation of carcinoma cells and are diagnosed according to their microscopic features. However, MPD and EMPD have different characteristics. MPD is almost always associated with underlying ductal carcinoma—either in situ or invasive—or, rarely, lobular carcinoma. In contrast, the histogenesis of primary EMPD is less clear and is still the subject of debate. The skin adnexa (specifically, the apocrine or eccrine glands), vulvar Toker cells, anogenital mammary-like glands, and pluripotential germinative cells in the epidermis and other structures have been implicated as potential sources of neoplastic cells [7].

To diagnose EMPD, immunohistochemical stains, including stains for cytokeratin 7 and gross cystic disease fluid protein 15, were performed and showed positive reactivity [5]. We also performed tests for breast cancer markers, such as estrogen receptor/progesterone receptor and human epidermal growth factor receptor, because mammary-like ductal carcinoma (which resembles breast cancer) was identified through microscopy. As the tumor involved the apocrine gland, we concluded that EMPD was associated with underlying apocrine carcinoma and mammary-like ductal carcinoma.

When EMPD with apocrine carcinoma is found in the axilla, it is necessary to rule out an underlying breast carcinoma or primary breast cancer in ectopic breast tissue. Though the tumor cells of apocrine adenocarcinoma and invasive mammary-type ductal carcinoma show different histological features on hematoxylin and eosin stains, they share immunohistochemical results, meaning that an immunohistochemical stain does not help differentiate these diseases [8]. Therefore, it is difficult to distinguish whether two such tumors are of different origin. To exclude the possibility of metastatic mammary apocrine carcinoma, a radiological workup and additional breast examinations, such as breast sonography and mammography, should be performed. In our patient, ectopic mammary tissue was ruled out because of an absence of ectopic mammary tissue in the sample and the tumor in the breast.

According to previous reports, EMPD appears to behave more aggressively when accompanied by an underlying mammary-type carcinoma than when not associated with a mammary-type carcinoma [9]. Since our case was rare, with no established guidelines available, we consulted with various departments, including the pathology and breast surgery departments. Although mammary-type ductal carcinoma was identified in the axilla and immunohistochemical staining showed a result similar to breast cancer, the sample showed no evidence of metastasis from apocrine breast carcinoma or breast cancer in ectopic mammary tissue. Therefore, we concluded that this case was a rare adnexal cancer of the skin that was very similar to breast cancer, and we thus treated it according to guidelines for adnexal cancer treatment.

An initial skin biopsy may not provide accurate information because the biopsy only covers superficial lesions. In situations where no information is available regarding the underlying disease, it is advisable to leave a sufficient base safety margin. In the present case, the mass was sufficiently removed with a base safety margin of 1.5 cm. Although no exact guideline has yet been established, it may be advisable to consider surgical resection and reconstruction in light of these characteristics of EMPD.

Many techniques have been used for axillary reconstruction. A skin graft is simplest, but it has the disadvantages of contracture and poor cosmetic results [10]. Other options, such as Z-plasty and the local flap technique, have been used previously. Currently, the regional flap technique is commonly performed because it appears to be superior to other procedures. The latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap has been used by many surgeons [11]. Although this is a good option, it has the disadvantage of muscle bulkiness, resulting in cosmetic and functional problems [12].

A new technique using a TDAP flap was first described by Angrigiani et al. [13]. Recently, many cases have been reported in which a TDAP flap was used in axillary reconstruction. This technique has the advantage of an improved postoperative range of motion and better cosmetic results [14].

In conclusion, this case of axillary EMPD with underlying invasive apocrine adenocarcinoma and invasive mammary-type ductal carcinoma was successfully treated through wide excision with a sufficient safety margin and axillary reconstruction using a TDAP flap. The only additional treatment that the patient received was adjuvant radiotherapy for the treatment of skin cancer. As mentioned above, in diagnostically challenging EMPD cases such as this one, an investigative workup is essential to exclude invasive ductal carcinoma from ectopic breast tissue and the presence of a metastatic lesion. In addition, because EMPD is usually associated with adnexal cancer, a sufficient safety margin should be provided. Furthermore, this case highlights the need for a multidisciplinary approach to manage these difficult cases. Finally, further studies on this topic should be conducted in the future.

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