A novel fusion gene CRTC3-MAML2 in hidradenoma: histopathological significance

Hidradenoma usually presents as a solitary, slow-growing, and solid or cystic nodular lesion, which arises in various anatomical sites. Its diagnosis is occasionally difficult because the tumor shares histological features with other cutaneous appendage tumors. Recently, CRTC1-MAML2 fusion gene was reported in hidradenomas, with the fusion transcript being demonstrated in approximately 50% of cases. However, limited information is available regarding its clinical significance. Here, we investigated the relationship between the fusion gene and clinicohistopathological features. We reviewed 39 cases histologically diagnosed as hidradenoma. Reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed for all 39 cases, and fluorescence in situ hybridization was also performed for the RT-PCR-negative cases. The 39 tumors included 36 clear cell hidradenomas and 3 poroid hidradenomas. The details of the cellular components were as follows: clear cell-dominant type, 9 cases; polygonal cell-dominant type, 21 cases; and equally mixed type, 9 cases. There were no tumors with apparent mucinous cells. There were 8 tumors with prominent cystic change, 2 of which presented apocrine-like decapitated secretion. CRTC1-MAML2 fusion was detected in 10 of the 39 tumors (26%) and CRTC3-MAML2 fusion in 2 of the 39 (5%) by RT-PCR. MAML2 gene rearrangement was detected in 11 of 27 fusion gene-negative cases by fluorescence in situ hybridization. Moreover, neither the fusion genes nor gene rearrangement was detected in prominent cystic tumors and poroid hidradenomas. We conclude that CRTC1/3-MAML2 fusion gene analysis can be a useful method for diagnosing hidradenoma. Considering the histological and genetic similarity to mucoepidermoid carcinoma, hidradenoma may be a cutaneous counterpart of salivary gland mucoepidermoid carcinoma.