Apocrine hidradenocarcinoma of the scalp: a classification conundrum.
BACKGROUND
The classification of malignant sweat gland lesions is complex. Traditionally, cutaneous sweat gland tumors have been classified by either eccrine or apocrine features.


METHODS
A case report of a 33-year-old Hispanic man with a left scalp mass diagnosed as a malignancy of adnexal origin preoperatively is discussed. After presentation at our multidisciplinary tumor board, excision with ipsilateral neck dissection was undertaken.


RESULTS
Final pathology revealed an apocrine hidradenocarcinoma. The classification and behavior of this entity are discussed in this report.


CONCLUSIONS
Apocrine hidradenocarcinoma can be viewed as an aggressive malignant lesion of cutaneous sweat glands on a spectrum that involves both eccrine and apoeccrine lesions.
Cohen
Marc
M
Division of Head and Neck Surgery, UCLA School of Medicine, 10838 Le Conte Ave, Rm 62-132 CHS, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA. macohen@mednet.ucla.edu
Cassarino
David S
DS
Shih
Hubert B
HB
Abemayor
Elliot
E
St John
Maie
M
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000145:classification* / Q000473:pathology; D000328:Adult; D001050:Apocrine Glands / Q000473:pathology*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000145:classification* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D012535:Scalp / Q000473:pathology*; D013544:Sweat Gland Neoplasms / Q000145:classification* / Q000473:pathology
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor