Atypical fibroxanthoma of the skin: A reappraisal of 19 cases in which the original diagnosis was spindle‐cell squamous carcinoma

Abstract

A retrospective study was made of 21 cutaneous tumors microscopically diagnosed as spindle‐cell squamous carcinomas. The tumors occurred as noduloulcerative, vascular masses predominantly in roentgen‐ and solar‐radiationdamaged skin of the head, neck, and hands of men and women. These lesions were biologically benign, as established by the indications of follow‐up study. Histologically, a highly cellular proliferation of fibroblasts, histiocytes, and bizarre giant cells occupied the dermis. The overlying epidermis frequently was ulcerated, but lacked evidence of dysplasia or carcinoma in situ. The clinicopathologic features were consistent with those of atypical fibroxanthoma. Copyright © 1972 American Cancer Society