Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Situ (40X)

Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Situ (40X) • This close up view shows the basement membrane separating the dermis from the epidermis in the bottom center of the field. • The semicircular portion of dermis is between two downward growing rete pegs. • The large cells surrounded by clear space have pleomorphic, bizarre dark nuclei. • Their cytoplasm is keratinized and the halo is a retraction artifact as the cells shrinks away from its neighbors on fixation. • This is distinct from a koilocyte which has an intracytoplasmic halo containing viral particles. (Description By:Melinda Sanders,M.D. ) (Image Contrib. by:Melinda Sanders,M.D. UCHC )