Dermoscopic features of endocrine mucin-producing sweat gland carcinoma

Abstract

Endocrine mucin-producing sweat gland carcinoma (EMPSGC) is very rare, with only 61 cases reported to date. EMPSGC is considered to be a low-grade carcinoma of sweat gland origin. Dermoscopic findings of EMPSGC have not been previously reported. We report the first case of a man with EMPSGC, featuring dermoscopic findings. Dermoscopic examinations of the present EMPSGC lesion revealed tumor cell proliferation that appeared as pink ovoid nests and elongated epidermis that resembled a whitish-pink network. Another characteristic finding of the present lesion was the large red/blue globules in pink ovoid nests in the tumor. Those reflected lacunae containing secretory fluid with red blood cells. We think that the large red/blue globules in pink ovoid nests in our case could be a characteristic dermoscopic finding specific to EMPSGC. We dermatologists encounter many "pink nodules" at out-patient clinics. The present dermoscopic findings may be useful for the differential diagnosis of EMPSGC.