Clear cell acanthoma

(Pale cell acanthoma)

Deba P Sarma, MD
Omaha
 F 34, left leg

Lesional epidermis is sharply demarcated from adjacent

normal epidermis.
Acanthotic epidermis is composed of cells with pale-
staining glycogen-rich cytoplasm.
Parakeratosis with neutrophilic keratitis.

Acanthotic epidermis is composed of cells with pale-staining

glycogen-rich cytoplasm.
 Clear cell acanthoma

 Clinical

 Clear cell acanthoma is also known as pale cell

acanthoma and Degos’ acanthoma.
 It is a rare, slowly growing, sharply demarcated,
red or red-brown, dome-shaped papule usually
less than 1cm in diameter, occurring mostly on
the legs of adults (>40yrs).
 Microscopic

 Acanthotic epidermis is composed of cells

with pale-staining glycogen-rich cytoplasm.
 Parakeratosis with neutrophilic keratitis.
 Lesional epidermis is sharply demarcated
from adjacent normal epidermis.
 Neutrophilic infiltration in the pale lesional
squamous cells.