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Sebaceous carcinoma is a rare cutaneous malignancy which is typically regarded as relatively aggressive and has traditionally been subdivided into periorbital or extraorbital tumours. We conducted a retrospective review of all cases of sebaceous carcinoma reported to the Western Australian Cancer Registry between 1987 and May 2019. The incidence of sebaceous carcinoma in Western Australia has increased over the last three decades, with extraorbital tumours being much more common than periorbital tumours. Very few sebaceous carcinomas have led directly to the death of patients; however, adverse outcomes were more likely with periorbital tumours, in particular local recurrence and the need for major surgical intervention., (© 2023 The Authors. Australasian Journal of Dermatology published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Australasian College of Dermatologists.)

Background: The objectives of this study were to identify a subgroup of patients with putative primary dermal melanoma after thorough multidisciplinary clinical and histological evaluation, and to describe the clinical, histological and selected molecular features of these lesions., Methods: The records of the Western Australian Melanoma Advisory Service were searched for potential cases of primary dermal melanoma. The clinical and histological features were reviewed, immunohistochemical assessment was performed and clinical outcomes recorded., Results: Eighteen cases of putative primary dermal melanoma with available clinical data were identified. Two of 12 cases in which further histological sections could be obtained were excluded because of the presence of findings suggesting an epidermal origin on these further sections. In one additional case, such origin could not be histologically excluded. Median follow-up period for the remaining cases was 68 months. Confirmed primary dermal melanoma accounts for 0.87% of cases of melanoma referred to a subspecialist melanoma advisory service. These cases show significant histological overlap with dermal/subcutaneous metastases of melanoma, but display a relatively good prognosis, with a 5-year survival of 87.5%., Conclusion: Our results support the recognition of a distinct group of melanoma that mimics metastatic melanoma, but is associated with a relatively favourable outcome. The group of putative primary dermal melanoma is likely to be heterogenous, including cases of primary nodular melanoma in which epidermal connection has not been identified, metastatic melanoma with an occult primary lesion and true primary dermal melanoma., (© 2015 Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.)

The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of Merkel cell polyomavirus (MPyV) and p63 positivity by immunohistochemistry in a large cohort of primary Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) from a region with high rates of actinic damage. We also aimed to determine whether there is any relationship between these markers and histological correlates of chronic sun exposure and to identify whether these markers have prognostic significance in our population. Ninety-five cases of primary cutaneous MCC were identified and stained with immunohistochemical markers for MPyV and p63. The presence of solar elastosis and squamous dysplasia in the overlying/adjacent skin were recorded as markers of actinic damage. Follow up data were obtained from the Western Australian Cancer Registry. MPyV was detected by immunohistochemistry in 23% of cases. There was a statistically significantly lower rate of positivity in tumours associated with markers of chronic sun damage as assessed by the presence of solar elastosis and squamous dysplasia. There was no association with overall or disease specific survival. p63 positivity was detected in 17% of cases. There was no association with markers of actinic damage or with overall or disease specific survival.Our data demonstrate a significant difference in rates of immunohistochemical positivity for MPyV between MCC in sun-damaged and non-sun-damaged sites. This may go some way to explaining previously identified geographical differences. When compared with a number of studies from Europe and North America, p63 positivity is less common in our population and does not show the strong prognostic significance that has been found in these other regions.