Current Diagnosis and Treatment Options for Cutaneous Adnexal Neoplasms with Apocrine and Eccrine Differentiation

Int J Mol Sci. 2021 May 11;22(10):5077. doi: 10.3390/ijms22105077.

Abstract

Adnexal tumors of the skin are a rare group of benign and malignant neoplasms that exhibit morphological differentiation toward one or more of the adnexal epithelium types present in normal skin. Tumors deriving from apocrine or eccrine glands are highly heterogeneous and represent various histological entities. Macroscopic and dermatoscopic features of these tumors are unspecific; therefore, a specialized pathological examination is required to correctly diagnose patients. Limited treatment guidelines of adnexal tumor cases are available; thus, therapy is still challenging. Patients should be referred to high-volume skin cancer centers to receive an appropriate multidisciplinary treatment, affecting their outcome. The purpose of this review is to summarize currently available data on pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment approach for apocrine and eccrine tumors.

Keywords: apocrine; eccrine; neoplasms; treatment; tumors.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apocrine Glands / pathology*
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Eccrine Glands / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms, Adnexal and Skin Appendage / diagnosis*
  • Neoplasms, Adnexal and Skin Appendage / therapy*