• Users Online: 80839
  • Home
  • Print this page
  • Email this page

   Table of Contents      
PHOTO ESSAY
Year : 2019  |  Volume : 67  |  Issue : 12  |  Page : 2044-2045

Conjunctival keratoacanthoma/keratoacanthoma like squamous cell carcinoma: Err on the side of caution


1 The Operation Eyesight Universal Institute for Eye Cancer, Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery and Ocular Oncology Services, LV Prasad Eye Institute, Vijayawada, India
2 Kanupriya Dalmia Ophthalmic Pathology Laboratory, Mithu Tulsi Chanrai Campus, LV Prasad Eye Institute, Bhubaneswar, India

Date of Submission15-Feb-2019
Date of Acceptance26-Apr-2019
Date of Web Publication22-Nov-2019

Correspondence Address:
Dr. Ruchi Mittal
Kanupriya Dalmia Ophthalmic Pathology Laboratory, Mithu Tulsi Chanrai Campus, LV Prasad Eye Institute, Bhubaneswar
India
Login to access the Email id

Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None


DOI: 10.4103/ijo.IJO_314_19

Rights and Permissions

Keywords: Conjunctiva, histopathology, keratoacanthoma, squamous cell carcinoma


How to cite this article:
Kapoor A, Vijitha V S, Mittal P, Mittal R. Conjunctival keratoacanthoma/keratoacanthoma like squamous cell carcinoma: Err on the side of caution. Indian J Ophthalmol 2019;67:2044-5

How to cite this URL:
Kapoor A, Vijitha V S, Mittal P, Mittal R. Conjunctival keratoacanthoma/keratoacanthoma like squamous cell carcinoma: Err on the side of caution. Indian J Ophthalmol [serial online] 2019 [cited 2024 Mar 29];67:2044-5. Available from: https://journals.lww.com/ijo/pages/default.aspx/text.asp?2019/67/12/2044/271382



A 30-year-old immune-competent Asian woman, coolie by occupation, presented with painless conjunctival lesion with progressive enlargement since 1 month. Patient was a nonsmoker and had significant exposure to ultraviolet radiation because of her occupation. Examination revealed a yellowish white, well-defined conjunctival nodule in interpalpebral region, 2 mm away from nasal limbus with a central hyperkeratotic core, and limited mobility [Figure 1]a. Tumor was excised by “no-touch technique” with margin clearance, cryotherapy, and surface reconstruction. Histopathological examination showed an epithelial lesion with central keratin-filled crater surrounded by buttress like thickened epithelium [Figure 1]b. Higher magnification showed irregular epithelial proliferations [Figure 2] and [Figure 3], displaying atypia and extending through the basement membrane into stroma, some of which were loosely cohesive, (asterisks marked- [Figure 2]; circles marked- [Figure 3]). Stroma showed actinic change. Dyskeratosis ([Figure 3] tadpole like cell-arrow marked) and atypical mitoses ([Figure 3], arrow head marked) were noted. Thus, the lesion was termed as keratoacanthoma-like squamous cell carcinoma. There has been no recurrence 24-months postsurgery.
Figure 1: (a) Clinical image showing a conjunctival nodule with central hyperkeratotic core; (b) Photomicrograph showing a central keratin-filled crater surrounded by thickened epithelium (Hematoxylin and Eosin, 2X)

Click here to view
Figure 2: Stromal invasion by multiple, irregular, atypical epithelial proliferations of varying sizes (few loosely cohesive: asterisks marked- Figure 2; circles' marked- Figure 3) and stromal actinic change. Nuclear pleomorphism, atypia, and conspicuous nucleoli noted in epithelial component (Hematoxylin and Eosin, 40X). Foci of dyskeratosis (tadpole like cell, arrow marked, Figure 3) and atypical mitoses (arrow head, Figure 3) also noted

Click here to view
Figure 3: Stromal invasion by multiple, irregular, atypical epithelial proliferations of varying sizes (few loosely cohesive: asterisks marked- Figure 2; circles' marked- Figure 3) and stromal actinic change. Nuclear pleomorphism, atypia, and conspicuous nucleoli noted in epithelial component (Hematoxylin and Eosin, 40X). Foci of dyskeratosis (tadpole like cell, arrow marked, Figure 3) and atypical mitoses (arrow head, Figure 3) also noted

Click here to view


Freeman first described “conjunctival keratoacanthoma” based on classical history, typical nodular appearance, central crater, rounded edges, and distinctive histopathology.[1] Keratoacanthoma is a biologically unstable tumor with potential for self-regression and can also show enigmatic progression to squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).[2] There is limited understanding of the natural course of mucosal keratoacanthoma, as they are frequently excised than observed.[3] Conjunctival keratoacanthomas are rare with sparse reports in Asians.[3],[4] Similar to SCC, they have a limbal predilection - temporal more than nasal.[3],[4],[5]{Figure 2}{Figure 3}

On histopathology, central keratin-filled crater surrounded by overhanging epidermal edges is characteristic. The epithelium is acanthotic with eosinophilic glassy appearance of cytoplasm.[1] Histopathology may vary between early, well developed to regressing stages or a tumor undergoing SCC like change.[2],[5] Despite the typical features in well-developed phase, definite differentiation from SCC may be challenging as KA in its early/proliferative phase may show horn pearls, cellular atypia, mitoses, and infiltrating borders, present in SCC.[1],[3] In our case, the crateriform lesion also showed stromal invasion by irregular epithelial masses with loose cohesion, pleomorphism, atypia, and atypical mitoses, indicative of carcinoma. Complete surgical excision with margin clearance is recommended for suspected conjunctival keratoacanthoma and histopathological evaluation further aids prognostication. Long-term follow-up is recommended for early detection of recurrence. Patients should be educated to avoid long and persistent exposure to ultraviolet radiation and to self-examine the site of surgery and other UV exposed areas for recurrence or development of new lesion.

Declaration of patient consent

The authors certify that they have obtained all appropriate patient consent forms. In the form the patient(s) has/have given his/her/their consent for his/her/their images and other clinical information to be reported in the journal. The patients understand that their names and initials will not be published and due efforts will be made to conceal their identity, but anonymity cannot be guaranteed.

Financial support and sponsorship

Nil.

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.



 
  References Top

1.
Freeman RG, Cloud TM, Knox JM. Keratoacanthoma of the conjunctiva: A case report. Arch Ophthalmol 1961;65:817-9.  Back to cited text no. 1
    
2.
Takai T. Advances in histopathological diagnosis of keratoacanthoma. J Dermatol 2017;44:304-14.  Back to cited text no. 2
    
3.
Kifuku K, Yoshikawa H, Sonoda K, Kawano Y, Miyazaki K, Ishibashi T. Conjunctival Keratoacanthoma in an Asian. Arch Ophthalmol 2003;121:118-9.  Back to cited text no. 3
    
4.
Perdigão FB, Pierre-Filho Pde T, Natalino RJ, Caldato R, Torigoe M, Cintra ML. Conjunctival keratoacanthoma. Rev Hosp Clin Fac Med Sao Paulo 2004;59:135-7.  Back to cited text no. 4
    
5.
Sbazo BA, Şovrea AS, Bartos DM, Bartos A, Georgiu C. Keratoacanthoma of the conjunctiva-case report and review of the literature. Rom J Morphol Embryol 2017;58:1605-9. [Figure 1]: (a) Clinical image showing a conjunctival nodule with central hyperkeratotic core; (b) Photomicrograph showing a central keratin-filled crater surrounded by thickened epithelium (Hematoxylin and Eosin, 2X)  Back to cited text no. 5
    


    Figures

  [Figure 1], [Figure 2], [Figure 3]



 

Top
 
 
  Search
 
    Similar in PUBMED
   Search Pubmed for
   Search in Google Scholar for
 Related articles
    Access Statistics
    Email Alert *
    Add to My List *
* Registration required (free)  

 
  In this article
References
Article Figures

 Article Access Statistics
    Viewed1331    
    Printed29    
    Emailed0    
    PDF Downloaded151    
    Comments [Add]    

Recommend this journal