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Giant cell tumor of skin Sunil Kumar, Raghupathi A R, Chidananda - Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol
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   Abstract
   Introduction
   Case Report
   Discussion
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CASE REPORT
Year : 2006  |  Volume : 72  |  Issue : 2  |  Page : 145-146

Giant cell tumor of skin


Department of Pathology, Government Medical College, Mysore, Karnataka, India

Correspondence Address:
Sunil Kumar Y
Department of Pathology, Government Medical College, Mysore, Karnataka
India
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DOI: 10.4103/0378-6323.25643

PMID: 16707824

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  Abstract  

Giant cell tumor of the skin is a rare entity showing gross and histological features similar to those of giant cell tumor of the bone. We report a case of malignant giant cell tumor of the thigh in a 55-year-old man. Histological features showed a biphasic population of mononuclear cells admixed with osteoclast-like giant cells. The nuclei of the giant cells were similar to those of the mononuclear cells. This tumor should be distinguished from a variety of cutaneous neoplasms that contain multinucleated giant cells.


Keywords: Giant cell tumor, Malignant, Skin


How to cite this article:
Sunil Kumar, Raghupathi A R, Chidananda. Giant cell tumor of skin. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol 2006;72:145-6

How to cite this URL:
Sunil Kumar, Raghupathi A R, Chidananda. Giant cell tumor of skin. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol [serial online] 2006 [cited 2014 Mar 11];72:145-6. Available from: http://www.ijdvl.com/text.asp?2006/72/2/145/25643



  Introduction   Top


Giant cell tumor of the skin is a rare entity showing similar gross and histological features of giant cell tumor of the bone.[1] Histologically, these lesions show round to spindle shaped cells intimately admixed with uniformly scattered osteoclast-like multinucleate giant cells.[2] Superficial tumors involving either the subcutis or the fascia have a much better prognosis than deeply situated ones. We report a patient with this rare neoplasm.


  Case Report   Top


We were sent a specimen for histopathological examination by a physician from a remote place who had done an excisional biopsy of a swelling. The patient was a 55-year-old man who had an asymptomatic swelling on the upper right thigh since 6 months. The swelling measured 5 x 3.5 x 2 cm and was mobile, nontender and adherent to the skin. There was no regional lymphadenopathy. An X-ray showed no bony involvement.

Grossly, the specimen consisted of a skin-covered irregular mass measuring 4.5 x 3 x 1.5 cm. Histologically, there was a well-circumscribed multinodular area involving the dermis and consisting of fibroblasts, histiocytes and osteoclast-type giant cells [Figure - 1]. The mononuclear cells showed pleomorphism and increased mitotic activity. Immunohistochemistry studies revealed osteoclast cells positive for CD68 and negative for EMA, vimentin and cytokeratin markers. A diagnosis of malignant giant cell tumor of the skin was made; however, the patient did not follow up later.


  Discussion   Top


Primary giant cell tumor of soft tissue, also known as giant cell tumor of low malignant potential, is a rare soft tissue tumor located in both the superficial and deep soft tissues.[2] The lesion usually affects patients aged between 68 and 78 years (median 73 years) with a male to female ratio of 3:2.[1],[3] It commonly involves the extremities, head and neck. Its gross and histologic features are similar to the giant cell tumor of the bone.

Most tumors are well circumscribed, unencapsulated and multinodular with a mixture of histiocytes, fibroblasts and osteoclast-like giant cells. The fibroblasts show some tendency to aggregate at the periphery of the nodule. The fibroblasts and histiocytes display pleomorphism with increased mitotic activity and often contain ingested lipid and hemosiderin. Osteoclasts arise due to fusion or amitotic division of these mononuclear precursors. The giant cells have voluminous eosinophilic cytoplasm with numerous small uniform nuclei. Phagocytic vacuoles and asteroid bodies are occasionally present.[2] In approximately 50% of cases, focal osteoid or mature bone is present, usually located at the periphery of the tumor. It appears to be produced by neoplastic cells.

The histogenesis is unclear. This tumor was earlier included as one of the histological types of malignant fibrous histiocytoma, but this view is no longer favored.

The differential diagnosis includes benign fibrous histiocytoma, atypical fibroxanthoma, giant cell tumor of bone with soft tissue extension, leiomyosarcoma with osteoclast giant cells and extraskeletal osteosarcoma. Benign fibrous histiocytoma with many osteoclast giant cells can be differentiated by the presence of hyperplastic epidermis, hyperpigmentation of the basal layer and elongation of rete ridges, separated by clear (Grenz) zone from the spindle cell tumor in the dermis.[4] Atypical fibroxanthoma shows pleomorphic histiocyte-like cells and atypical giant cells, often with bizarre nuclei and numerous mitotic figures.[2],[4] Giant cell tumor of bone with soft tissue extension shows radiologically, an osteolytic lesion in the epiphysis and the presence of a rim of ossification at the edge of the tumor.[5] Leiomyosarcoma with osteoclast giant cells shows brightly eosinophilic spindle cells with vesicular, cigar shaped nuclei.[2] Extraskeletal osteosarcoma can be differentiated by the presence of neoplastic bone or osteoid.[6]

Superficial tumors involving the subcutis or fascia have a much better prognosis than deeply situated ones; 75% of superficial tumors recur and only 25% metastasize, while about 50% of deep tumors recur and about 50% metastasize.[2] Recently, two cases of malignant giant cell tumor in the dermis extending into the subcutaneous tissue were reported.[7]

 
  References   Top

1. Holst VA, Elenitsas R. Primary giant cell tumor of soft tissue. J Cutan Pathol 2001;28:492-5.  Back to cited text no. 1  [PUBMED]  [FULLTEXT]
2. Hoang MP, Rogers BB, Albores-Saavedra J. Giant cell tumor of the skin: a morphologic and immunohistochemical study of five cases. Ann Diagn Pathol 2002;6:288-93.  Back to cited text no. 2    
3. Enzinger FM, Wiess WS. Malignant fibrohistiocytic tumours In: Soft tissue tumours. 3rd ed. Mosby Publication: St. Louis; 2001. p. 373-5.  Back to cited text no. 3    
4. Heenan PJ. Tumours of fibrous tissue involving the skin. In: Elder DE, Elenitsas R, Jaworsky C, Johnson Jr. BL, Murphy GF, editors. Lever's Histopathology of Skin. 9th ed. Lippincott Williams and Wilkins: Philadelphia; 2005. p. 979-1013.  Back to cited text no. 4    
5. Fletcher CDM. Diagnostic histopathology of tumors. 2nd ed. Churchill Livingstone Publication: London; 2000.  Back to cited text no. 5    
6. O'Connell JX, Wehrli BM, Nielsen GP, Rosenberg AE. Giant cell tumors of soft tissue: A clinicopathologic study of 18 benign and malignant tumors. Am J Surg Pathol 2000;24:386-95.   Back to cited text no. 6    
7. Gould E, Albores-Saavedra J, Rothe M, Mnaymneh W, Menendez-Aponte S. Malignant giant cell tumor of soft parts presenting as skin tumor. Am J Dermatopathol 1989;11:197-201.  Back to cited text no. 7    


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