Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 4, 2026

Induction of Mesenchymal-Epithelial Transitions in Sarcoma Cells
Published on: April 7, 2017
Multifocal Langerhans cell sarcoma involving epidermis: a case report and review
Changsong Wang1, Yanping Chen, Chunfang Gao
1Department of Pathology, 150th Hospital of PLA, Luoyang, China. wangtmmu@yahoo.com.cn
Insights
Langerhans cell sarcoma (LCS) is a rare, aggressive skin cancer. This case highlights its malignant features and the importance of accurate diagnosis for effective treatment.
Area of Science:
- Dermatopathology
- Oncology
- Cancer Biology
Background:
- Langerhans cell sarcoma (LCS) is a rare malignant neoplasm derived from Langerhans cells.
- Cutaneous involvement, particularly primary multifocal LCS, presents unique diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.
Observation:
- A case of primary multifocal Langerhans cell sarcoma involving the inguinal and waist regions of a 41-year-old male patient was analyzed.
- Histopathological examination revealed neoplastic cells with highly malignant cytological features, including irregular shapes, abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm, and large, irregular nuclei with prominent nucleoli.
- Immunophenotyping demonstrated tumor cell expression of CD1a, Langerin (CD207), S-100 protein, CD68, and vimentin, while lacking pan-T/B cell and epithelial markers.
Findings:
- The reported LCS case exhibited aggressive behavior, characterized by rapid local recurrence and distant metastasis to the lungs.
- Despite treatment with radiation and chemotherapy, the patient succumbed to the disease within one year of diagnosis.
- Accurate diagnosis relies on meticulous histopathological evaluation and comprehensive immunohistochemical analysis of tumor cell markers.
Implications:
- This case underscores the aggressive nature of Langerhans cell sarcoma, particularly in its multifocal epidermal presentation.
- Early and accurate diagnosis through histopathology and immunohistochemistry is crucial for appropriate patient management and prognosis.
- Further research into the pathogenesis and treatment strategies for LCS is warranted to improve patient outcomes.
Objective:
To study the clinico-pathological characteristics of Langerhans cell sarcoma (LCS) which involving epidermis.
Methods:
A case of primary multifocal LCS was analyzed in histopathology and immunophenotype.
Results:
A 41-year-old man with multifocal cutaneous LCS involving the inguina and waist was reported. Clinical and pathology data were available. Neoplastic cells with markedly malignant cytological features were observed. Tumor cells exhibited irregular shape with abundant and eosinophilic red staining cytoplasm; large, irregular-shaped, showing lobulated or dented nucleus and some cells with a longitudinal nuclear groove and prominent nucleoli. The tumor cells expressed CD1a, Langerin (CD207), S-100 protein, CD68 and vimentin, and did not express pan-T or B cell markers and epithelial markers. The patient died less than 1 year after diagnosis due to local recurrence and metastasis to the lung, despite the administration of local radiation and chemotherapy.
Conclusions:
LCS is a tumor with markedly malignant cytological features that originates from Langerhans cells. Primary multifocal neoplasms involving epidermis is even rare. Accurate diagnosis is based on the histopathological and immunohistochemical of the tumor cells.
Virtual Slide:
The virtual slide(s) for this article can be found here: http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/1182345104754765.
Related Concept Videos
Cells of the Epidermis
The cells in all these layers except the stratum basale are called keratinocytes, a type of cell that manufactures and stores the protein keratin. The keratinocytes in the stratum corneum are dead and regularly slough away, being replaced by cells from...
Review and Preview
Percentiles are a type of fractile that partition data into...
Review and Preview
Layers of the Epidermis
Stratum Basale
Stratum basale, also known as the stratum germinativum, is the deepest layer of the epidermis. It is composed of a single layer of actively dividing cells called basal cells or basal keratinocytes. These cells constantly undergo cell division to replenish the upper layers of the epidermis. Additionally, melanocytes, which...
Data Reporting and Recording
Rous Sarcoma Virus (RSV) and Cancer
RSV is a retrovirus that contains two copies of a plus-strand RNA genome. Its genome consists of four main open...

