Primary Cutaneous Mucinous Carcinoma: A Review of the Literature

Abstract

Background: Primary cutaneous mucinous carcinoma (PCMC) is an exceedingly rare, low-grade tumor that histologically resembles mucinous carcinoma from other primary sites, such as the breast, gastrointestinal tract, and lungs.

Objective: The purpose of this article was to review the current literature on PCMC as it relates to epidemiology, clinical presentation, histopathology, immunohistochemistry, treatment, and prognosis.

Materials and methods: An extensive literature review was conducted using PubMed and Ovid MEDLINE to identify articles related to PCMC.

Results: Several hundred cases have been reported in the medical literature, and surgical resection, whenever feasible, is the standard of care.

Conclusion: The diagnosis of primary cutaneous mucinous carcinoma is one of exclusion, requiring a metastatic work-up to rule out distant primary. Mohs micrographic surgery is a tissue sparing technique that allows complete margin control of these rare neoplasia.