Trisomy 7 in keratoacanthoma and squamous cell carcinoma detected by fluorescence in-situ hybridization.

Keratoacanthoma (KA) is generally considered to be a clinically and histologically distinct entity, but it often remains difficult to separate from well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma (WDSCC). Recently, trisomy 7 has been identified in squamous cell carcinoma of the skin. In this study, we examined classical KA (n = 6), WDSCC (n = 7) and squamous cell carcinoma with KA-like features (SCC-KA) (n = 8) for trisomy 7 by fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) to determine if this chromosomal abnormality is unique to squamous lesions diagnosed as WDSCC, or shared by both KA and SCC. In addition, the pertinent clinical-histopathologic findings were summarized. Trisomy 7 was identified in one KA, one SCC-KA and two WDSCC. This study demonstrates that there is a chromosomal abnormality shared by KA and SCC, providing further evidence that KA is most likely a form of SCC. Further studies are required to determine if trisomy 7 in these lesions is of prognostic significance.