Clear cell acanthoma: causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment

Bright cell acanthoma is a benign tumor of the epidermis, because there is no unified opinion about the true tumor processes. According to some data, at the heart of a pathological condition, there are probably disturbances in the processes of maturation of epithelial cells. Tumor often occurs in the elderly in the form of a solitary nodule with a diameter of 0.5-2.0 cm on a broad base, slightly infiltrated, pink with peeling on the surface, localized mainly on the limbs, more often on the lower legs. Clinically important is differentiation with a pigment-free form of melanoma.

Pathomorphology of a clear cell acanthoma. The tumor consists of light, swollen spiny cells containing a large amount of glycogen and unmodified nuclei. Spongiosis, parakeratosis, absence or scarcity of the granular layer are noted. Melanogenesis is reduced, melanocytes can be detected only by the Masson-Fontana method. In the derma under these areas, vasodilation and insignificant inflammatory infiltration are noted. Cases of malignancy are not described, the tumor is clearly delimited from adjacent parts of the epidermis.

Histogenesis. Electron microscopic examination revealed in the tumor cells a lot of glycogen and very few cell organelles, which indicates a violation of cellular metabolism and cell maturation. Some authors found a blockade of melanosome transformation in melanocytes in light-cell acanthoma. Most authors believe that this is not a tumor, but a local hyperplastic process.

[1], [2], [3], [4], [5]