Aspects of the differential diagnosis of clear-cell lesions of the skin in connection with the rare case of a clear-cell atypical fibroxanthoma

Clear-cell changes are rare in histological specimens of the dermis and raise complex diagnostic considerations regarding lineage differentiation (e.g., epithelial, mesenchymal, or melanoctyic). We present a clear-cell atypical fibroxanthoma (CCAFX) and describe the morphological and immunohistochemical aspects of this rare skin lesion. Furthermore, we give an overview of the differential diagnoses of clear-cell lesions of the skin for a practical approach. (C) 2008 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.