Large ulcerated perianal hidradenoma papilliferum in a young female.
BACKGROUND
Hidradenoma papilliferum is an uncommon benign tumor that is located almost exclusively in the vulvar and anal areas. It is usually very small and asymptomatic, and to make a correct diagnosis is clinically very difficult. Occasionally the tumor becomes elevated to form a reddish brown papillary mass, and the surface ulcerates, which may erroneously suggest malignancy.


OBJECTIVE
We report a case of a large, perianal hidradenoma papilliferum with suspected malignancy in a young Japanese female.


RESULTS
A 22-year-old female had been aware of a perianal nodule for approximately 1 year. Examination of the perianal area revealed a wide pedunculated, reddish nodule with several white maculae. It was ulcerated and bleeding, 2.0 x 1.2 x 0.8 cm in size, and located in the 3 o'clock position. The nodule was totally excised with a narrow margin. The histopathologic diagnosis was hidradenoma papilliferum. No recurrence was observed for 23 months.


CONCLUSIONS
When dermatologists encounter tumors of the anogenital area of adult females, it is important to keep hidradenoma papilliferum in mind as the differential diagnosis. Dermatologists should recognize that the tumor is benign, eliminating the need for wide resection.
Handa
Yoshihiro
Y
Department of Dermatology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan.
Yamanaka
Naoki
N
Inagaki
Hiroshi
H
Tomita
Yasushi
Y
D006607:Adenoma, Sweat Gland / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D000328:Adult; D001005:Anus Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans