Merkel cell differentiation in trichoblastoma

Four cases of trichoblastoma rich in Merkel cells (MCs) are reported. They occurred in two men and two women, with ages ranging from 58 to 76 years (mean 67.5 years). MCs were detected immunohistochemically with antibodies to keratin 20, chromogranin A and neuron-specific enolase (NSE). In an attempt at better definition of the nature and role of MCs in trichoblastoma, the distribution of MCs in normal adult and fetal skins obtained at autopsy was studied. In addition, ten cases of sebaceous naevus of Jadassohn (NSJ) were evaluated along similar lines. MCs made up 2-20% of the tumour cells in trichoblastomas; they were present in normal fetal skin and were rare in normal adult skin. All but one of the cases of NSJ showed numerous positive cells in the epidermal component of the lesion with all three antibodies. Six basal cell carcinomas and one syringocystadenoma papilliferum associated with NSJ were negative with keratin 20, chromogranin A and NSE antibodies, whereas a minute trichoblastoma arising against the same background was positive for these markers. Hair follicle cell tumours may recapitulate the skin embryogenesis, as numerous MCs are present in fetal follicles, but only occasional such cells are seen in adult skin.