SEBACEOUS CARCINOMA
Sebaceous carcinomas arise most commonly in eyelids but can occur in other locations, most commonly elswhere on the face. Such carcinomas can metastasize. Therefore, the distinction between sebaceous carcinomas, sebaceous epitheliomas or sebaceomas, and basal cell carcinomas having sebaceous differentiation is important. The distinction is based largely on cytologic criteria.

Lobular architecture is common and can cause confusion if one depends on patterns of infiltration to define cutaneous malignancies. Prominent nucleoli, variably coarse chromatin particles, abnormal mitoses, and other cytologic features of malignancy that are difficult to verbalize are more reliable. 


This is from the nose of a 58 year old male:
Note: These images may take a while to download.
 
Scan power view. The tumor is in limited contact with the epidermis and extends into the dermis in columns. The architecture of the tumor  is somewhat lobular. A few lumina resembling sebaceous ducts are present with the tumor.
Low power view showing a few of the lumina surrounded by tumor. The tumor cells are cytologically malignant and are better illustrated in the pictures shown below.
A high power view of a ductal structure.
A high power view of some of the tumor cells. Note the number and variation in the diameter of the vacuoles within a given cell.
A high power view showing one of the many abnormal mitotic figures found within the tumor.

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