Hydroadenomas are benign skin growths that can appear on various parts of the body, including the cheek, genitals, and sweat glands. Some types, such as acrospiroma and hidradenoma papilliferum, require surgical removal, while malignant hydroadenomas may require chemotherapy and radiation. Any new growth should be evaluated by a doctor.
A hydroadenoma is a benign skin condition that primarily affects the skin on the cheek. It first appears as a small growth filled with dark colored fluid. The tumor originates in the epithelium, cells that line the surface layer of connective tissue and sweat glands. There are several types of hydroadenomas that can develop anywhere on the body, such as an acrospiroma, a hidradenoma papilliferum, nodular hydroadenomas, and a hydroadenocarcinoma. Any rapid or new growth should always be evaluated by a doctor to determine if further treatment is needed.
Clear cell hydroadenomas are called acrospiroma or poroma. This growth comes from the most distal portion of the sweat gland. It is similar in appearance to a renal cell carcinoma. A biopsy of the acrospiroma is done to ensure that the tumor is benign, and treatment usually involves surgical excision of the lump.
Nodular hydroadenomas can be a sign of an underlying condition. The formation of these benign sweat gland tumors is one of the symptoms of eccrine acrospiroma. A single hidradenoma lump can develop anywhere on the body, but is more likely to appear on the face, head, neck, legs, and arms. If the growth becomes unsightly, it can be surgically removed.
Unusual hydroadenomas can appear on the genitals of females. A type of benign growth called hidradenoma papilliferum occurs on the labia majora of the vulva. It can also be present on the interlabial folds. These hydroadenomas are caused by a lump of breast tissue that is ectopic or located away from its normal anatomical location and are often present at birth.
Rarely, a malignant hydroadenoma or hydroadenocarcinoma can result from a sweat gland. This cancerous growth infiltrates surrounding tissue and can metastasize and come back after treatment is finished. Most commonly diagnosed in older men, it appears initially as a slowly growing lump that is firm to the touch. The growth can also spread to the underlying bone and tendons causing pain when moving.
The diagnosis of malignant hydroadenomas is made after evaluation of a laboratory biopsy. A carcinoma that forms from the sweat gland often mimics the appearance of a benign hydroadenoma. Frequently, the tumor will have no obvious nuclear changes or will require blood vessel involvement to continue growing, making diagnosis of the tumor difficult. Some of these cancerous tumors develop from benign hydroadenomas. Treatment for the malignancy usually requires surgical excision of the growth, followed by chemotherapy and radiation if needed.
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