Multinucleate Cell Angiohistiocytoma
David Cassarino, MD, PhD
Key Facts
Terminology
Proliferation of vessels and multinucleated stromal cells
Etiology/Pathogenesis
May be nonneoplastic reactive process
Clinical Issues
Usually occurs in patients > 40 years old
Multiple grouped papules
Typically in females
Microscopic Pathology
Increased numbers of superficial small to telangiectatic vessels
Proliferation of enlarged, angulated multinucleated cells
No infiltrative features identified
Nuclear hyperchromasia and mild atypia present
 Low-power examination of multinucleate cell angiohistiocytoma shows a dermal-based proliferation of small vessels with focal telangiectasia and increased numbers of stromal cells. |
 Higher power view shows a proliferation of numerous small blood vessels and scattered enlarged, angulated mononuclear and multinucleated  stromal cells. |
TERMINOLOGY
Abbreviations
Multinucleate cell angiohistiocytoma (MCAH)
Definitions
Proliferation of vessels and multinucleated stromal cells
ETIOLOGY/PATHOGENESIS
Unknown
May actually represent a nonneoplastic reactive process
Some authors consider MCAH a variant of dermatofibroma
CLINICAL ISSUES
Epidemiology
Age
Usually presents in patients > 40 years old
Gender
Typically occurs in females
