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Cutaneous Metastasis

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Applied Immunohistochemistry in the Evaluation of Skin Neoplasms

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Abstract

Metastasis is defined as the secondary deposit of a tumor which is not in continuity with the primary lesion. Cutaneous metastases are not uncommon and frequently are the first sign of extranodal metastatic disease, particularly in patients with melanoma, breast cancer, and mucosal carcinomas of the head and neck. Delayed metastasis may also be seen when dealing with primary tumors such as melanoma and breast carcinoma. Additionally, pathologists often receive specimens with little or no clinical information. Therefore, the possibility that the diagnosis can be missed is high, leading to inappropriate management and poor clinical outcome. As a result it is critical to employ a panel of immunohistochemical stains to correctly identify a cutaneous metastasis and its source. In this chapter we discuss the immunohistochemical markers which can be used in identifying the most common cutaneous metastases.

Authors’ note

The introduction and section on metastatic carcinoma is written by Danielle M. Wehle, M.D.M.S. The abstract and section on metastatic melanoma is written by Sadia Salim, M.D. Photomicrographs in this chapter are reproduced with the permission of Dr. Jose Plaza.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatopathology, Miraca Life Sciences, 6655 N. MacArthur Blvd, 76262, Irving, TX, USA

    Danielle M. Wehle M.D., M.S. & Sadia Salim M.D.

  2. Department of Pathology, Hospital Obrero Nro 1, Avda Brazil S/n, 6541, La Paz, Bolivia

    Martin Sangueza M.D.

Authors
  1. Danielle M. Wehle M.D., M.S.
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  2. Martin Sangueza M.D.
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  3. Sadia Salim M.D.
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Danielle M. Wehle M.D., M.S. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Miraca Life Sciences, Dermatopathology Division, Dallas, Texas, USA

    Jose A. Plaza

  2. Department of Pathology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA

    Victor G. Prieto

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Wehle, D.M., Sangueza, M., Salim, S. (2016). Cutaneous Metastasis. In: Plaza, J., Prieto, V. (eds) Applied Immunohistochemistry in the Evaluation of Skin Neoplasms. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-30590-5_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-30590-5_5

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-30588-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-30590-5

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