Androgen receptor (AR) immunohistochemistry is used in general pathology and in dermatopathology, particularly for sebaceous tumours. The goal of this study was to quantify AR expression in benign and malignant epidermal tumours and adnexal tumours.

We studied AR expression in 301 skin lesions using standard immunohistochemistry and compared 10 trichoblastomas, 10 sebaceomas and 10 hidradenomas using 5 markers (cytokeratin 7 and 8, PHLDA1, BerEp4 and AR).

The rates of AR expression were: 22% in basal cell carcinomas, 3% in squamous cell carcinomas, 92% in sebaceous tumours, 10% in follicular tumours and 22% in sweat gland tumours. Benign sebaceous tumours were AR+ in 97% of cases. Only 12% of sebaceous carcinomas showed no AR staining. The immunohistochemical profiles of the comparative study were as follows: sebaceoma: AR+, CK7–, CK8–, PHLDA1–, BerEp4–; hidradenoma: AR–, CK7+, CK8+, PHLDA1+, BerEp4+; trichoblastoma: AR–, CK7–, CK8–, PHLDA1+, BerEp4+.

AR staining was positive in 92% of sebaceous tumours, including sebaceomas, in some cases indicative of Muir–Torre syndrome. AR staining is therefore highly sensitive for the diagnosis of sebaceous tumours, but it is non-specific and is best used in combination with other antibodies, notably anti-CK8 and PHLDA1, particularly to distinguish sebaceoma from hidradenoma or trichoblastoma.