Sebaceous adenoma is a benign skin disease that appears as small pink lesions on the face and is often a symptom of the genetic disease tuberous sclerosis. Treatment involves laser surgery for cosmetic reasons, and ongoing treatment is needed to minimize the appearance of new lesions.
Sebaceous adenoma is a type of skin disease in which small pink lesions appear on the face. It’s usually a symptom of a larger condition called tuberous sclerosis, a genetic disease that can also affect the heart and brain. Sebaceous adenoma, which often resembles acne, is considered benign and does not pose a health risk. Treatment for skin lesions is usually done for cosmetic reasons and involves laser surgery to remove the bumps. Depending on the severity of other tuberous sclerosis symptoms, a person may need to take regular medications or have other types of corrective surgery.
Tuberous sclerosis results from a specific genetic defect and can lead to the growth of benign tumors on the brain, heart, kidneys or skin. Skin cancers can take many forms, but sebaceous adenoma is the most common type. A child born with tuberous sclerosis may also suffer from developmental disabilities, seizures, and breathing problems. The condition cannot be cured, and treatment measures are usually aimed at reducing symptoms and the chances of dangerous medical complications.
Sebaceous adenoma tends to emerge around the age of two and gets worse until a child reaches puberty. The lesions are described by doctors as angiofibromas, small collections of fibrous tissue and blood vessels. The bumps are usually smooth, pink or light red in color, and less than 0.2 inch (about 0.5 cm) in diameter. A person with mild sebaceous adenoma may have only a few lesions on the sides of the nose, while a severe case may nearly cover the nose, cheeks, and under-eye areas.
A small number of patients with tuberous sclerosis have sebaceous adenomas on other areas of the skin. Some people have lesions on the scalp and forehead, and tumors can rarely emerge on the lips, tongue or palate. Some people have noticeable bumps under and near their fingernails and toenails. Tuberous sclerosis can also produce skin discoloration and more prevalent cancers, although those conditions are considered separate from sebaceous adenoma.
Sebaceous adenoma itself is not dangerous to a person’s health, but many patients choose to have corrective surgery to improve their appearance. An experienced dermatologist can perform a procedure called laser ablation to remove the lesions. A series of argon and carbon dioxide laser treatments can gradually reduce the size and prominence of the bumps. Because the underlying tuberous sclerosis cannot be cured, the lesions tend to re-emerge over time. Ongoing treatment over the course of several months to years is usually needed to minimize the appearance of new angiofibromas.
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