Basal Cell Carinoma of the Sole: Implications for Fibroepithelioma of Pinkus

Abstract

To the Editor: In their recent article supporting the classification of fibroepithelioma of Pinkus (FEP) as a variant of basal cell carcinoma (BCC), Katona et al1 referred to our paper,2 which proposed that FEP develops from the spread of BCC along eccrine ducts that serve as a template. We would like to comment on a follow-up study we reported.3 Because there are frequent eccrine sweat glands and ordinarily no hair follicles on the sole of the foot, we hypothesized that the rare BCCs of the sole would show a relatively high incidence of FEP-like growth patterns. In our study of 20 BCCs from the sole, 30% showed histologic patterns of FEP.3 Our study3 may also have some bearing on the BCC-versus-trichoblastoma controversy regarding FEP.1,4 We are unaware of trichoepitheliomas/trichoblastomas occurring on the sole of the foot. Jere B. Stern, MD Dermatopathology Consultation Services Baltimore, MD Helen M. Haupt, MD Pennsylvania Hospital University of Pennsylvania Health System Philadelphia, PA