Penis & scrotum
Squamous cell carcinoma and variants
Pseudoglandular carcinoma
Authors: Alcides Chaux, M.D., Antonio L. Cubilla, M.D.
Topic Completed: 1 April 2010
Minor changes: 8 April 2021
Copyright: 2002-2021, PathologyOutlines.com, Inc.
PubMed Search: Pseudoglandular carcinoma penis
Table of Contents
Definition / general | Terminology | Epidemiology | Sites | Clinical features | Case reports | Gross description | Microscopic (histologic) description | Microscopic (histologic) images | Negative stains | Differential diagnosisCite this page: Chaux A, Cubilla AL. Pseudoglandular carcinoma. PathologyOutlines.com website. https://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/penscrotumsccpseudoglandular.html. Accessed July 27th, 2021.
Definition / general
- Unusual and aggressive variant of penile carcinoma with pseudoglands, often filled with amorphous material
Terminology
- Also called adenoid or acantholytic carcinoma
Epidemiology
- Average 54 years
Sites
- Glans, coronal sulcus and inner foreskin are usually involved
Clinical features
- Higher metastatic rate and cancer related deaths when compared with usual SCC
Case reports
- Series of 7 cases (Am J Surg Pathol 2009;33:551)
Gross description
- Large, irregular white-gray ulcerative or exophytic masses
- Frequent invasion of deep erectile tissues
- Average size 4.6 cm
Microscopic (histologic) description
- Hallmark is the pseudogland: open space lined by atypical, cubical or cylindrical uni or multistratified cells
- Pseudoglands frequently filled with amorphous material containing debris, keratin and desquamated cells
- Intraluminal neutrophilic microabscesses are not uncommon
- Frequent presence of intracytoplasmic clear vacuoles, sometimes with a collaret arrangement
- Variegated tumor aspect showing solid areas intermingled with pseudoglandular spaces
- Frequent vascular and perineural invasion
Microscopic (histologic) images
Contributed by Alcides Chaux, M.D. and Antonio Cubilla, M.D.
Simulating glandular lumina
Irregular tumor nests
Penis:
pseudoglandular
carcinoma
Images hosted on other servers:
Conjunctiva:
Acantholysis of neoplastic squamous cells
Head and neck:
Pseudolumina are present but no true glands
Skin:
Various images
Negative stains
- Factor VIII, PAS and Alcian blue
Differential diagnosis
- Adenocarcinoma of Littré glands: true glandular differentiation, ventrally located with secondary extension to perimeatal area
- Adenosquamous carcinoma: true glandular lining, more homogeneous, squamous areas predominate, negative for CEA and mucin stains
- Pseudoangiosarcomatoid variant of sarcomatoid carcinoma: alveolar and not pseudoglandular pattern of growth, more typical areas of sarcomatoid carcinoma elsewhere, negative for CEA and mucin stains
- Urothelial carcinoma of distal urethra with glandular features: previous / concurrent history of urothelial carcinoma elsewhere, presence of urothelial carcinoma in situ and positive for urothelial markers (uroplakin III, thrombomodulin)
