Lewis Shapiro

Subungual epidermoid carcinoma and keratoacanthoma.

Seven subungual epidermoid carcinomas (CA) and 4 subungual keratoacanthomas (KA) of the hand are reported, and the literature is reviewed. Subungual CA is a very slow‐growing tumor that masquerades for years as a chronic infection, whereas subungual KA grows rapidly, is more destructive locally, and clinically appears to be a tumor of some type. The average age of patients with CA was 64, but only 49 for patients with KA. About two thirds of the CA demonstrated roentgenographic evidence of osseous involvement, whereas all cases of KA produced pressure erosion of the distal phalanges. Neither tumor metastasizes. KA might spontaneously resolve if permitted to run its natural course. The treatment of choice for CA is probably a conservative amputation and for KA, curettage.

OSTEOGENIC SARCOMA: REPORT OF A CASE ARISING IN PAGET'S DISEASE OF THE BONE WITH EXTENSION TO THE SCALP

A malignant tumor may secondarily involve the skin by distant lnetastases via blood vessels or lymphatics, by direct extension of the tumor through the lymphatics, by implantation of tumor cells at the time of surgery, and by a direct extension of the malignancy to the overlying skin. The anatomical localization of the metastases obviously partially depends on the way in which the primary tumor is disseminated.! We wish to report a case of osteogenic sarcoma of the scalp, originating in Pagets disease of the calvarium, extending directly to overlying skin. To the best of our knowledge no other such case has been reported in the literature.

Greek and Latin endings.

To the Editor.— The frequent improper use of Latin and Greek endings in theArchivesprompts me to write in the hope that corrective measures might be taken to prevent the perpetuation of such needless mistakes. Adjectives must agree with nouns in number, case, and gender, accomplished by the use of specific endings. One of the most frequent mistakes stems from the failure to realize that the suffix - ma is neuter (Greek), not feminine (Latin). The following three examples taken from the January and February 1970,Archivesillustrate improper endings (incorrect gender). The article by Kram, Erythrokeratoderma variabilis, should be variabile (Erythrokeratodermia variabilis is acceptable, however). Butterworth and Grahams article, Linear papular ectodermal-Mesodermal hamartoma (Hamartoma moniliformis), should be hamartoma moniliforme. In a Letter to the Editor, Yaffe coins the term Lichen pilaris actinica. The noun lichen is masculine and the adjective should be actinicus (eg, lichen planus).