Epithelioid schwannoma of the skin displaying unique histopathological features: a teaching case giving rise to diagnostic difficulties on a morphological examination of a resected specimen, with a brief literature review

Among cutaneous soft tissue neoplasms, benign nerve sheath tumor, i.e. schwannoma, is a very common and well-known entity; however, epithelioid schwannoma is a very rare and relatively new morphologic variant of benign schwannoma, composed predominantly of histopathologically characteristic epithelioid schwann cells [1‐4]. Epithelioid schwannoma was first described by Orosz et al. and Kindblom et al. in the early 1990s [3, 4], and subsequently, Hart et al. recently reviewed their experience with up to 58 cases of it in more detail [2]. Our thorough investigation showed that, to date, merely less than 80 cases of true epithelioid schwannoma have been reported in the English literature, as summarized in Tables 1 to 2.

Clinically, epithelioid schwannoma of the skin may simulate various benign to malignant neoplasms of the skin, including pyogenic granuloma and basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma, because all of these lesions can look tan and reddish on the surface [1‐4]. In the largest series investigating this entity to date (Table 1), the most common anatomic location of epithelioid schwannoma was the extremities, with involvement of the forearm, hand and finger/thumb [2]. Epithelioid schwannoma is defined conceptually as the benign counterpart of epithelioid malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) [1‐4] and frequently poses a diagnostic challenge to all clinicians and pathologists, as this very rare entity is extremely difficult to diagnose by a morphological examination alone, i.e. haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, on a resected sample due to its unique histopathological features, in marked contrast to conventional schwannoma [1‐4]. Indeed, its histological differential diagnoses widely include true epithelial neoplasms and myoepithelial, epithelioid mesenchymal and neuroectodermal lesions [1, 2], as is summarized in Table 3. Further hampering an accurate diagnosis, somewhat atypical histological features might result in a misdiagnosis as epithelioid MPNST, which shows a much worse prognosis than benign epithelioid schwannoma [2]. The early accurate diagnosis and conservative treatment of epithelioid schwannoma might allow patients an improved quality of life. However, very few reports have described its detailed clinicopathological features.

We herein report an extremely rare case of benign epithelioid schwannoma displaying unique histopathological features originating from the superficial subcutaneous soft tissue of the joint of the right hand, together with presentation of a review of the literature. The microscopic examination via H&E staining did not allow for a conclusive diagnosis, and the diagnosis was ultimately made based on a wide panel of immunohistochemical analyses, including one of its hallmark antibodies, S-100 protein.

A 65-year-old female presented with a history of a very slow-growing, flat and slightly elevated firm and tan plaque covered by mostly a smooth epidermis and accompanied by occasional tenderness measuring approximately 10 × 8 mm in the ulnar joint of the right hand, 1 year before resection (Fig. 1). She had an unremarkable medical history. The laboratory data, including the blood cell count, chemistry, and tumor markers, were unavailable. There were no imaging analyses, either. The dermatologists first interpreted this lesion as a benign tumor, such as a pilomatricoma, but could not completely rule out malignancy.

Local resection for tumor extirpation was performed, and a gross examination of its cut surface displayed an encapsulated, well-demarcated nodular lesion, yellow-whitish in color, partly filled with blood, measuring 5 × 4 mm in diameter (Fig. 2a). On scanning magnification, this subcutaneous tumor was found to contain a peripheral cyst-like cavity filled with red blood cells and showed an encapsulated and well-circumscribed nodule, uniquely surrounded by dense, hyalinized and layered fibrocollagenous stroma, reminiscent of vascular-like structure (Fig. 2b). Resection was diagnosed as complete by this histopathological examination.

Microscopically, as summarized in Table 1, the tumor predominantly comprised a solid proliferation of characteristic epithelioid cells (Fig. 2c) having mildly enlarged, pleomorphic and round to partially spindled, polygonal nuclei and abundant vacuolated or clear cytoplasm with very few mitotic figures (much less than 1/50 high-power fields) (Fig. 2d), embedded partially in a small amount of hyalinized and/or myxoid stroma and associated with focal cystic and hemorrhagic degeneration (Fig. 2b, c). Scattered small blood vessels intervened in this tumor (Fig. 2c). Neither an infiltrative appearance nor necrotic foci were evident. Under a high-power view, these neoplastic cells revealed mildly atypical epithelioid cells, with less than three nuclear size variations, and frequent intranuclear pseudo-inclusions (Fig. 2d). Elastica van Gieson (EVG) staining could not detect any elastic fibers in this encapsulated vessel-like structure. No apparent conventional schwannoma features, including Antoni A and/or B areas or rosette formations, were noted. Furthermore, there were no elements of apparent contiguous native perineurium of the peripheral nerve to this well-demarcated tumor, within our thorough investigation, as confirmed by an immunohistochemical analysis using S-100 protein (diluted 1:2,000; Dako Cytomation Co., Glostrup, Denmark) (Fig. 3a).

Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were diffusely positive for vimentin (diluted 1:1; Dako) and S-100 protein (Dako) (Fig. 3a), and type IV collagen (diluted 1:200; Dako) was strongly reactive with reduplicated basal lamina of them (Fig. 3b). By contrast, they were completely negative for cytokeratins (CKs) (AE1/AE3, diluted 1:1; Dako; & Cam5.2, diluted 1:10; Becton Dickinson Immunocytometry Systems, San Jose, CA, USA), EMA (diluted 1:1; Dako), α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA, diluted 1:1; Dako), desmin (diluted 1:1; Dako), CD10 (diluted 1:1; Dako), CD31 (diluted 1:1; Dako), CD34 (diluted 1:1; Dako), CD68 (KP-1, diluted 1:200; Dako), p63 (diluted 1:200; Dako), Melan A (diluted 1:50; Dako), HMB45 (diluted 1:100; Dako), CDK4 (diluted 1:50; Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Dallas, TX, USA), MDM2 (diluted 1:200; Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA, USA) and p53 (diluted 1:1,000; Dako). The immunohistochemical profiles of these epithelioid cells in the present case are summarized in Table 2. In addition, the Ki67 (MIB-1, diluted 1:1; Dako) labeling index was much less than 1% in the proliferating tumor cells. Finally, immunohistochemical staining of S-100 protein could not detect any reactive elements, including contiguous native perineurium of the peripheral nerve, in this encapsulated vessel-like structure (Fig. 3a). All of the immunohistochemical stainings were conducted using the Dako Envision kit (Dako) in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions [5‐8].

Based on these features, we ultimately made a diagnosis of epithelioid schwannoma arising from the superficial subcutaneous soft tissue of the ulnar joint of the right hand. To date, after approximately 9 months of post-operative follow-up, the patient remains well with neither recurrence nor metastases.

As presented in Tables 1 to 2, the few case reports and review articles available on epithelioid schwannomas have suggested that a confident and accurate diagnosis distinguishing this entity from other benign soft tissue tumors and epithelioid MPNST might be impossible based on a morphological (H&E staining) examination alone, since not only do these lesions have diverse histopathological features, but a lack of experience and/or misinterpretation of findings by physicians can prove to be a stumbling block [1‐4].

Therefore, we agree with previous studies indicating the importance of applying a wide panel of immunohistochemical antibodies in the conclusive diagnosis of round to spindle cell neoplasms of the skin [2, 5]. Among benign tumors, the histological differential diagnoses of the current case included soft tissue myoepithelioma, epithelioid hemangioendothelioma, perineurioma of sclerosing or reticular variants, or epithelioid leiomyoma, as summarized in Table 3. Immunohistochemical analyses generally resolve these distinctions easily. As shown in Table 3, based on the immunopositivity of the S-100 protein and the negative expressions of p63, actins (α-SMA), epithelial markers (AE1/AE3, Cam5.2, and EMA), CD31, CD34, and desmin, we were able to exclude the possibilities of the above neoplasms. In addition, as presented in Fig. 3b, it is well known that type IV collagen is a confirmative surrogate marker of reduplicated basal lamina originating from differentiated schwann cells [2]. In addition to distinguishing the lesion from more recently proposed atypical variants of epithelioid schwannoma [1, 2], further analyses of the low MIB-1 labeling indices and the negative expression of p53 on the resected specimen would be very powerful supplementary tools for excluding the possibility of malignancy (epithelioid MPNST) (Table 3).

It is very likely that the present case report of epithelioid schwannoma arising in the superficial subcutaneous tissue in the right forearm is histopathologically remarkable for one reason at least: the present tumor was surrounded by dense, hyalinized and layered fibrocollagenous stroma, reminiscent of vascular-like structures. Although conventional schwannoma usually exhibits hyalinized and thick-walled small- to medium-sized vessels in its stroma [1, 2], this characteristic finding in our case is very uncommon. In fact, there were no overt features of classic, conventional schwannoma, including Antoni A and/or B areas or rosette formations, and this encapsulated vessel wall-like stroma contained neither EVG-positive elastic fibers nor S-100 protein-positive schwann cells. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 3a, immunohistochemical staining of S-100 protein could not detect any elements of apparent contiguous native perineurium of the peripheral nerve to this well-demarcated epithelioid schwannoma. This unusual feature might have resulted from severely degenerative changes of the present epithelioid schwannoma. However, further investigation will be required to resolve this intriguing issue after the accumulation of its similar surgical cases.

We herein reported a very rare case of epithelioid schwannoma arising from the superficial subcutaneous soft tissue of the ulnar joint of the right hand that proved very difficult to tentatively diagnose based solely on a morphological examination of a resected specimen. However, we were subsequently able to accurately diagnose the lesion after thorough analyses of the immunohistochemistry. All pathologists should be aware that the characteristic features of this lesion might result in a diagnostic pitfall. An appropriate and wide panel of immunohistochemical antibodies, including various schwann cell, myoepithelial, endothelial, perineurial, and smooth muscle cell markers, p53 and MIB-1 labeling index, can therefore be powerful supplementary tools for identifying benign lesions and reaching the correct, final diagnosis of cutaneous epithelioid schwannoma.