CUTANEOUS HISTIOCYTOSARCOMA - CLINICAL, IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL AND ULTRASTRUCTURAL ASPECTS - DIFFICULTIES OF STUDY AND PROBLEMS OF NOSOLOGY

  • 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 107  (1-2) , 7-19
Abstract
A case is reported of cutaneous tumor of the back of recent occurrence and rapid increase in a 79 yr old woman with Crosti''s reticulosis. The histiocytic nature of the tumor cells is discussed based on immunohistochemical studies (peroxidase activity, anti-HTLA [heterologous anti-human thymus-derived lymphocyte serum] serum) and on EM, with special reference to the multivesicular bodies in the cytoplasm. The tests for correct identification of the histiocyte, including EM, tests for HTLA and HB[bone marrow-derived]LA antigens, peroxidatic reaction, acid phosphatase activity, and in vivo or in vitro phagocytosis, are discussed. The concept of malignant reticulosis in hematologic and dermatologic classifications is outdated. Recent advances in understanding the nature of the so-called reticulum (or reticular) cell, which seems to be a distinct entity derived from the mesenchymal cell (as the fibroblast), are discussed. The clinical and evolutive characteristics of histiocytic tumors include a lack of hematologic involvement, slow evolution and high radiosensitivity. The difficulties in defining their malignancy are discussed in relation to the lack of comparable references in the literature with complete cellular study. The nosologic place of this disease among hematodermas and in the pathology of the mononuclear phagocyte system are discussed. The generic term of cutaneous histiocytosarcoma (stage I or II) is suggested, including the whole malignant and isolated tumoral proliferations developing from the dermal histiocyte.