Clinicopathologic features of invasive breast carcinoma with dermatopathic lymphadenitis: a retrospective analysis

To understand and explore the clinical manifestations, pathologic features, immunohistochemical analysis, treatment, and prognosis of dermatopathic lymphadenitis (DPL) and review the literature.

Lymph node specimens were collected from 10 patients with DPL at Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University from 2016 to 2019. We identified 3 patients with invasive breast carcinoma with DPL. We examined 41 axillary lymph nodes from the 3 patients, and only 3 lymph nodes showed DPL. Samples were analyzed by paraffin embedding and sectioning and hematoxylin-eosin and immunohistochemical staining.

The lymph node cortex and medulla were generally maintained, and lymphoid follicles were atrophic. Irregularly shaped and distributed patches in the subcapsular lymphatic sinusoid and paracortical areas palely stained were observed. Melanin was deposited in the cytoplasm and intercellular spaces. Large cytoplasm-rich cells were also found in the tissue. The boundaries between the cells were unclear, and cytoplasm was bright. Immunohistochemistry of all DPL cases showed CD1a (+) and S-100 (+); some cases were Langerin positive.