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Aims Aggressive epidermotropic cutaneous CD8+ lymphoma is currently afforded provisional status in the WHO classification of lymphomas. An EORTC Workshop was convened to describe in detail the features of this putative neoplasm and evaluate its nosological status with respect to other cutaneous CD8+ lymphomas. Methods and results Sixty-one CD8+ cases were analysed at the workshop; clinical details, often with photographs, histological sections, immunohistochemical results, treatment and patient outcome were discussed and recorded. Eighteen cases had distinct features and conformed to the diagnosis of aggressive epidermotropic cutaneous CD8+ lymphoma. The patients typically present with widespread plaques and tumours, often ulcerated and haemorrhagic, and histologically have striking pagetoid epidermotrophism. A CD8+/ CD45 RA+/ CD45 RO−/ CD2−/ CD5−/ CD56− phenotype, with one or more cytotoxic markers, was found in seven of 18 patients, with a very similar phenotype in the remainder. The tumours seldom involve lymph nodes, but mucosal and central nervous system involvement are not uncommon. The prognosis is poor, with a median survival of 12 months. Examples of CD8+ mycosis fungoides, lymphomatoid papulosis and Woringer-Kolopp disease presented the typical features well documented in the CD4+ forms of those diseases. Conclusions Aggressive epidermotropic cutaneous CD8+ lymphoma is a distinct lymphoma that warrants inclusion as a distinct entity in future revisions of lymphoma classifications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: Failure of autologous keratinocyte culture from small split-thickness skin specimens or contamination of the keratinocyte culture by melanocytes represents practical problems in basic medical research and clinical studies. Purpose: To establish a simple and reliable method of harvesting pure autologous keratinocytes from a small split-thickness skin specimen. Methods: Split-thickness (0.3 mm) skin explants (1 × 2 mm) were firstly cultured in DMEM containing 10% FCS till formation of keratinocyte strips, then cultured in serum-free keratinocyte growth medium or cocultured with lethally irradiated 3T3 fibroblasts (J2) in a mixture of DMEM and Ham’s F12 (DF) medium. Results: Pure autologous keratinocyte culture is easily and reliably established by this organ culture technique. Conclusion: Culturing of skin explants in serum-free keratinocyte growth medium or coculturing of the skin explants with lethally irradiated 3T3 cells in DF medium is proved to be a useful, simple and reliable method of harvesting pure autologous keratinocytes from a small split-thickness skin biopsy. Copyright © 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Trichoepithelioma (TE) is a benign cutaneous tumor that originates from hair follicles and occurs either in multiple or solitary lesions. Multiple TE is transmitted as an autosomal dominant trait, and a region at 9p21 is thought to be involved in the tumorigenesis. Solitary TE occurs more commonly than multiple TE and is not inherited. Histologically, TE tumors contain horn cysts and abortive hair papillae. A basal cell carcinoma appearance in some or all regions of a TE tumor can happen. In sporadic basal cell carcinoma, frequent deletions at 9q22.3 (Drosophila patched gene) have occurred. The objective of this study is to test whether loss of heterozygosity (LOH) on either 9p21 or on chromosome 9q22.3 could be detected in archival sporadic TE. Observations: We studied 29 randomly selected cases of sporadic TE by microdissection and polymerase chain reaction using paraffin-embedded, formalin-fixed tissue specimens on glass slides. Analysis was performed with the polymorphic markers IFNA and D9S171 (9p21) as well as D9S15, D9S303, D9S287, and D9S252 (9q22.3). Results: The LOH at 9q22.3 was identified in 14 (48%) of 29 cases with at least 1 marker, while LOH could not be demonstrated using the markers IFNA and D9S171 (9p21). Conclusions: The results show that the Drosophila patched gene LOH can be frequently identified in paraffinembedded sporadic TE after routine processing and indicates a common gatekeeper mechanism for both TE and basal cell carcinoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mohs' chemosurgery, with its complete microscopic control, is the most reliable procedure in achieving complete ablation of basal-cell epitheliomas treated by histographic surgery both as to the clinically estimated extension and as to the actual size of the defect resulting from complete tumor removed. This paper deals with the question of how broad a margin of normal tissue should be included in the excision of tumors of varying sizes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discusses the detection of somatic mutations of the multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) tumor suppressor gene in sporadic angiofibromas. Characteristics of mutations; Types of proliferating cells involved in angiofibromas; Role of the Men1 gene product in the initiation and regression of a subset of sporadic angiofibromas.