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Updated: May 29, 2026
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Combining Reflectance Confocal Microscopy with Optical Coherence Tomography for Noninvasive Diagnosis of Skin Cancers via Image Acquisition
Published on: August 18, 2022
Basal cell carcinoma with myoepithelial differentiation
Song Zheng1, Ying Guo, Joan M Mones
1Ackerman Academy of Dermatopathology, New York, NY 10016, USA.
The American Journal of Dermatopathology
|September 3, 2011
Summary
This study identifies basal cell carcinoma with myoepithelial differentiation (MED) in a cheek lesion. This rare tumor exhibits features of both basal cell carcinoma and myoepithelial cells.
Area of Science:
- Dermatopathology
- Oncology
Background:
- Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common type of skin cancer.
- Myoepithelial differentiation (MED) is a feature typically seen in salivary gland and breast neoplasms.
Observation:
- A lesion from a 48-year-old man's left cheek presented with neoplastic cells.
- These cells had eccentric, crescent-shaped nuclei and abundant, eosinophilic cytoplasm, resembling signet ring cells.
Findings:
- Immunohistochemical analysis revealed positivity for pan-cytokeratin and smooth muscle actin, confirming myoepithelial differentiation (MED).
- The tumor showed foci of conventional basal cell carcinoma (BCC) with admixed cells exhibiting MED.
- The lesion was diagnosed as basal cell carcinoma with myoepithelial differentiation.
Implications:
- This finding expands the morphologic spectrum of basal cell carcinoma.
- Recognizing this rare variant is crucial for accurate diagnosis and appropriate patient management.
- Further research into the behavior and treatment of BCC with MED is warranted.
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