Journal of Health Research and Reviews (in Developing Countries)

CASE REPORT
Year
: 2015  |  Volume : 2  |  Issue : 2  |  Page : 78--79

Tubular apocrine adenoma


Swagata Dowerah, Aparna Dutta, Projnan Saikia 
 Department of Pathology, Assam Medical College and Hospital, Dibrugarh, Assam, India

Correspondence Address:
Dr. Swagata Dowerah
Department of Pathology, Assam Medical College, Dibrugarh - 786 002, Assam
India

Abstract

Tubular apocrine adenoma, the apocrine variant of papillary tubulopapillary hidradenoma is a rare well-circumscribed, intradermal benign tumor, with tubular structures showing apocrine differentiation. We present a 40 year female with swelling on the scalp of one year duration measuring 3 x 3.5 x 2 cm. On gross examination, a 2 x 2 x 1.5 cm grayish white mass was seen. H and E stained sections from the tumor mass revealed tubules of various sizes lined by two layers of cells, an outer cuboidal and inner columnar. Some of the tubules showed intraluminal papillary projections without a fibrovascular core. Diagnosis of tubular apocrine adenoma was made. Tubular apocrine adenoma is an unusual entity which may be mistaken for other adnexal tumors both clinically and cytologically. Histopathologic examination is essential for diagnosis.



How to cite this article:
Dowerah S, Dutta A, Saikia P. Tubular apocrine adenoma.J Health Res Rev 2015;2:78-79


How to cite this URL:
Dowerah S, Dutta A, Saikia P. Tubular apocrine adenoma. J Health Res Rev [serial online] 2015 [cited 2024 Mar 29 ];2:78-79
Available from: https://www.jhrr.org/text.asp?2015/2/2/78/160928


Full Text

 INTRODUCTION



Tubular apocrine adenoma (TAA), the apocrine variant of papillary tubulopapillary hidradenoma (TPH), is a rare, well-circumscribed, intradermal benign tumor with tubular structures, showing apocrine differentiation. It is often difficult to accurately classify the tumor on cytopathologic examination, and histopathology is often required for definitive diagnosis of these unusual tumors.

First described in 1972, [1] additional cases of TAA have been reported. [2],[3],[4],[5] In the past, the term papillary eccrine adenoma (PEA) has been used to describe a TPH with eccrine differentiation, whereas the term TAA was used to designate a TPH with apocrine differentiation. [6],[7],[8] Histologically, the characteristic features are various sized dilated tubules with intraluminary papillary projection and apocrine decapitation secretion. It usually presents as a solitary lesion and is sometimes associated with nevus sebaceous and/or syringocystadenoma papilliferum.

Although cytology is a relatively inexpensive method for the diagnosis of cutaneous tumors, it is often not possible to give a definitive diagnosis on aspirate smears. It ultimately requires histopathologic examination to typify these benign adnexal tumors.

 Case Report



A 40-year-old female presented with swelling on the scalp of 1-year duration. The swelling was gradually increasing in size. The patient was a known case of tuberculosis on antitubercular treatment (ATT) for the past 7 months. Clinical examination revealed a well-defined swelling, measuring approximately 3 cm × 3.5 cm × 2 cm on the scalp. An area of surface ulceration was seen with some tenderness on palpation. Routine workup of the patient revealed hemoglobin (Hb) of 8 g/dL; total count and differential were within normal limits. An x-ray of the skull showed no obvious deformity. Cytologic evaluation was done and a diagnosis of benign adnexal tumor was made, with the possibility of syringocystadenoma papilliferum. The mass was excised and sent to the histopathology section of the Department of Pathology, Assam Medical College and Hospital, Dibrugarh, Assam, India for evaluation.

On gross examination, a 2 cm × 2 cm × 1.5 cm mass was seen, which was grayish white in color. On cut section, it was whitish and solid. Hematoxylin and eosin (H and E)-stained sections from the tumor mass revealed tubules of various sizes lined by two layers of cells, namely, an outer cuboidal and an inner columnar. Some of the tubules showed intraluminal papillary projections without a fibrovascular core. The lining cells showed apocrine changes. Decapitation secretion was seen in some of the tubules [Figure 1], [Figure 2], [Figure 3]. A diagnosis of TAA was done based on these features. The patient was discharged and is currently doing well.{Figure 1}{Figure 2}{Figure 3}

 DISCUSSION



TAA is a relatively rare tumor, with only a limited number of cases described so far. The tumor has a female predominance (2:1), a wide age range (18-78 years), and usually presents as a well-defined nodule most often located on the scalp. Most of the lesions are <2 cm in size, nontender, and slightly mobile with no significant overlying skin changes. In some cases, TPH has been seen in association with syringocystadenoma papilliferum, with the latter component being situated in the superficial portion of the combined lesion. [9]

Clinically, it may be confused with a cylindroma. Cytologically, it may be mistaken for syringocystadenoma papilliferum, which also shows papillary structures. Histologically, syringocystadenoma papilliferum also shows papillary projections into cystic invaginations but the lesion shows connection with the overlying epidermis. The papillae are thicker and taller with fibrovascular cores, and the papillary stroma contains abundant plasma cells. [10]

 CONCLUSION



TAA is an unusual entity that may be mistaken for other adnexal tumors, both clinically and cytologically. This tumor must be borne in mind when we come across scalp tumors with papillary structures on fine-needle aspiration (FNA). A histopathologic examination is essential for definite typing of these neoplasms.

 Acknowledgements



Source of funding

Nil.

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.

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