Spindle cell squamous cell carcinoma showing continuous mesenchymal dedifferentiation in a single tumor

J Dermatol. 2005 Oct;32(10):813-6. doi: 10.1111/j.1346-8138.2005.tb00850.x.

Abstract

We report the case of an 85-year-old man who presented with an enlarging tumor on the right temple. Histologically, spindle-shaped cells were proliferating continuously within well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma that was immunohistochemically negative for vimentin and alpha-smooth muscle actin (ASMA) but positive for cytokeratin (AE1/3). These spindle-shaped cells expressed vimentin and ASMA but not cytokeratin (AE1/3). Intermediate cells with round nuclei and small amounts of cytoplasm displayed slight expression of vimentin, ASMA, and cytokeratin. This case illustrated spindle cell squamous cell carcinoma with mesenchymal metaplasia of malignant epithelial cells.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Actins / analysis
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / chemistry
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / pathology*
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / chemistry
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Keratins / analysis
  • Male
  • Mesoderm / pathology
  • Skin Neoplasms / chemistry
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Vimentin / analysis

Substances

  • Actins
  • Vimentin
  • Keratins