Glandular Extramammary Paget's Disease

To the Editor.—  Extramammary Paget's disease is commonly found on the vulva, in the perineal area, on the genitalia, and, less commonly, in the axilla. The distribution of the lesion suggests a relationship to the presence of apocrine glands. The histogenesis of extramammary Paget's cells in the epidermis represents upward or lateral movement of atypical cells, which arise at some focus in the sweat gland apparatus (either apocrine or eccrine). Some investigators believe that Paget's cells are of primary origin in the epidermis.¹ We report a case of extramammary Paget's disease that histologically demonstrates glandular formation, with apparent secretion to the surface of the skin.

Report of a Case.—  A 64-year-old man had a sharply defined red plaque in the right inguinal area. Microscopic evaluation of a skin biopsy specimen showed atypical cells, with ample pale-staining cytoplasm and pleomorphic nuclei at the dermal-epidermal interface and scattered throughout the epidermis.