Apocrine nevus: light microscopic, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural studies of a case

Abstract

The apocrine nevus (AN) is a rare tumor occurring in the upper chest and the axilla. We report a case of a AN in a 33-year-old female occurring unilaterally. The presenting complaint related to tenderness and swelling in the right axilla. The initial impression was hidradenitis suppurativa. The gross specimen revealed the presence of irregular thickening just beneath the dermal subcutaneous interface. Microscopically the lesion was composed of mature apocrine glands with apical snouts. The glands were arranged in lobules divided by thin fibrous septa. Immunohistochemical studies revealed the following profile in the glandular epithelium: positive low molecular weight cytokeratin, epithelial membrane antigen, and gross cystic disease fluid protein reactivity and negative high molecular cytokeratin and S-100 protein reactivity. Carcinoembryonic antigen reactivity was found in the duct epithelium. Ultrastructural studies revealed cells lining the lumen of the glands with a concentration of granules in the apical region and light and dark granules. These findings support the previously described light microscopic observations and provide unreported ultrastructural studies in this rare tumor.