Apocrine gland carcinoma

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC

Apocrine gland carcinoma
Apocrine gland carcinoma
Synonyms	Apocrine adenocarcinoma
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Skin lesion, nodule, ulcer
Complications	Metastasis
Onset	Typically in adults
Duration	Chronic
Types	N/A
Causes	Unknown
Risks	Genetic predisposition, radiation exposure
Diagnosis	Biopsy, histopathology
Differential diagnosis	Basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, sebaceous carcinoma
Prevention	N/A
Treatment	Surgical excision, radiation therapy, chemotherapy
Medication	N/A
Prognosis	Variable, depends on stage and metastasis
Frequency	Rare
Deaths	N/A

Apocrine gland carcinoma is a rare type of malignant tumor that arises from the apocrine glands, which are specialized sweat glands found primarily in the axilla, anogenital region, and the areola of the breast. These glands are responsible for secreting a milky fluid that is part of the body's sweat and pheromone production.

Pathophysiology

Apocrine gland carcinoma is characterized by the uncontrolled growth of cells originating from the apocrine glands. These tumors can exhibit a variety of histological patterns, often resembling other types of adenocarcinoma. The tumor cells typically show apocrine differentiation, which can be identified by their large size, abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm, and prominent nucleoli.

Clinical Presentation

Patients with apocrine gland carcinoma may present with a palpable mass in areas where apocrine glands are located, such as the axilla or the groin. The mass may be painful or tender, and in some cases, ulceration or discharge may be present. Due to its rarity, apocrine gland carcinoma is often misdiagnosed as other more common skin conditions.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of apocrine gland carcinoma is primarily based on histopathological examination. A biopsy of the lesion is performed, and the tissue is examined under a microscope. Immunohistochemical staining can help differentiate apocrine gland carcinoma from other types of skin cancers by highlighting specific markers associated with apocrine differentiation.

Treatment

The primary treatment for apocrine gland carcinoma is surgical excision with clear margins. Depending on the stage and location of the tumor, additional treatments such as radiation therapy or chemotherapy may be considered. Due to the potential for local recurrence and metastasis, regular follow-up is essential.

Prognosis

The prognosis for apocrine gland carcinoma varies depending on the stage at diagnosis and the presence of metastasis. Early-stage tumors that are completely excised have a better prognosis, while advanced cases with regional or distant metastasis may have a poorer outcome.

See also

• Sweat gland
• Skin cancer
• Adenocarcinoma
• Histopathology