Mast cell sarcoma of the scalp: The first sign of undisclosed systemic mastocytosis?

• Published in: Pathology, research and practice research and practice, 2012-11, Vol.208 (11), p.683-686
• Main Authors: Falleti, Jessica, Borgia, Ludovica, Lalinga, Anna Vittoria, De Cecio, Rossella, Natella, Valentina, Patitucci, Giuseppe, Vita, Giulia
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biomarkers, Tumor - metabolism; Diagnosis, Differential; DNA Mutational Analysis; DNA, Neoplasm - analysis; Female; Head and Neck Neoplasms - diagnosis; Head and Neck Neoplasms - etiology; Head and Neck Neoplasms - metabolism; Head and Neck Neoplasms - surgery; Humans; Mast cell sarcoma; Mast Cells - pathology; Mast-Cell Sarcoma - diagnosis; Mast-Cell Sarcoma - etiology; Mast-Cell Sarcoma - metabolism; Mast-Cell Sarcoma - surgery; Mastocytosis; Mastocytosis, Systemic - complications; Mastocytosis, Systemic - diagnosis; Mastocytosis, Systemic - metabolism; Middle Aged; Mutation; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit - genetics; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit - metabolism; Scalp; Skin Neoplasms - diagnosis; Skin Neoplasms - etiology; Skin Neoplasms - metabolism; Skin Neoplasms - surgery; Systemic
• ISSN: 0344-0338; 1618-0631
• DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2012.06.010

Mastocytosis is a neoplastic disease of mast cells and their CD34+ precursors, including a heterogeneous group of disorders. It is characterized by abnormal growth and accumulation of mast cells in one or more organ systems. Mast cell sarcoma is an extremely rare and aggressive disease characterized by local proliferation of atypical mast cells, destructive growth and poor prognosis, without systemic involvement. Very few clinical cases describing this entity have been reported in the literature. In this paper, we report a case of a mast cell sarcoma, localized in the scalp of a 63-year-old woman; it appears to be the first manifestation of undisclosed systemic mastocytosis.