What are the other Names for this Condition? (Also known as/Synonyms)

• Benign Syringocystadenoma Papilliferum of Skin

What is Syringocystadenoma Papilliferum of Skin? (Definition/Background Information)

• Syringocystadenoma Papilliferum of Skin is a rare condition in which a tumor occurs in the apocrine sweat glands. It is an uncommon tumor that occurs on the skin as a painless nodule
• There are three different types of sweat glands in the skin. These include the apocrine sweat glands, the eccrine sweat glands, and the sebaceous sweat glands
• Syringocystadenoma Papilliferum of Skin can occur at birth and in children. It can grow larger in size during puberty, due to hormonal effects
• There are 3 clinical types of Syringocystadenoma Papilliferum of Skin:
  • Plaque type: The tumor is present as a patch of hair loss on the scalp. This type o tumor is commonly present with nevus sebaceous of Jadassohn in a third of the individuals
  • Linear type: In this type, the tumor is present as multiple nodules, up to 1 centimeter in size. These multiple nodules are usually present on the face, head, and neck region
  • Solitary nodular type: In this type, raised nodules can occur up to 1 cm in size. They can be multiple and usually occur on the chest, back, shoulders, and arm pits
• There are 3 stages of growth Syringocystadenoma Papilliferum of Skin:
  • Infantile stage: In this stage, the tumor is present as an orange/yellow plaque on the scalp and associated with hair loss
  • Adolescent stage: In this stage, due to androgen hormones, the tumor becomes darker in color and thickens       
  • Adult stage: In this stage, the tumor is prominent and can become cancerous. If the tumor grows rapidly or starts bleeding, it might indicate a malignancy. In this case, immediate care should be taken
• The cause and risk factors for Syringocystadenoma Papilliferum of Skin are unknown. The tumor occurs as a general abnormality that grows due to hormonal effects
• A simple surgical excision of the tumor is considered curative and the prognosis for Syringocystadenoma Papilliferum of Skin is excellent with suitable treatment
• Rarely, malignancy can occur in Syringocystadenoma Papilliferum, leading to a malignant tumor called Syringocystadenocarcinoma Papilliferum

Who gets Syringocystadenoma Papilliferum of Skin? (Age and Sex Distribution)

• Syringocystadenoma Papilliferum of Skin can occur at any age. It can also be seen at birth and early childhood. It grows in size during puberty and young adulthood
• 50% of Syringocystadenoma Papilliferum cases appear at birth or during the first 30 days of life
• Both males and females may be affected
• Individuals of all racial and ethnic background can be affected. Worldwide, no geographical localization of Syringocystadenoma Papilliferum of Skin has been reported

What are the Risk Factors for Syringocystadenoma Papilliferum of Skin? (Predisposing Factors)

• Currently, no risk factors have been identified for Syringocystadenoma Papilliferum of Skin
• Research is being undertaken to identify the relevant risk factors

It is important to note that having a risk factor does not mean that one will get the condition. A risk factor increases ones chances of getting a condition compared to an individual without the risk factors. Some risk factors are more important than others.

Also, not having a risk factor does not mean that an individual will not get the condition. It is always important to discuss the effect of risk factors with your healthcare provider.

What are the Causes of Syringocystadenoma Papilliferum of Skin? (Etiology)

• The cause of development of Syringocystadenoma Papilliferum of Skin is unknown
• Some researchers believe that it may be a congenital malformation that grows bigger because of hormonal effects during puberty
• Research is currently being undertaken to identify the relevant causal factors

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Syringocystadenoma Papilliferum of Skin?

The signs and symptoms of Syringocystadenoma Papilliferum of Skin include:

• Syringocystadenoma Papilliferum of Skin usually occurs as a single, raised nodule on the skin. It can range in size from a few millimeters to a centimeter. These bumps can grow large enough to cause cosmetic issues
• The skin over the nodules may have a reddish discoloration
• The nodule is usually painless and non-itchy. They are mostly well-demarcated and firm to touch
• The nodules can occur on the scalp, and head and neck region

Syringocystadenoma Papilliferum usually occurs as a single nodule that grows slowly. However, if the tumor suddenly starts to grow larger in size, then a malignant transformation into Syringocystadenocarcinoma Papilliferum should be ruled out, by immediately providing appropriate medical attention.

How is Syringocystadenoma Papilliferum of Skin Diagnosed?

A diagnosis of Syringocystadenoma Papilliferum may involve the following:

• A thorough medical history and physical examination
• A biopsy of the skin nodule, which is examined by a pathologist under a microscope. The pathological examination will help in a definitive diagnosis
• Differential diagnosis of other tumors such as basal cell carcinoma, malignant melanoma, blue nevus, squamous cell carcinoma, syringoma, and other skin tumors should be ruled out; hence, biopsy is an important diagnostic tool

Many clinical conditions may have similar signs and symptoms. Your healthcare provider may perform additional tests to rule out other clinical conditions to arrive at a definitive diagnosis.

What are the possible Complications of Syringocystadenoma Papilliferum of Skin?

Syringocystadenoma Papilliferum of Skin is a benign tumor and it does not cause any significant complications. However, the following factors may be a cause for concern:

• Larger tumors can cause cosmetic issues
• Recurrence of the tumor on incomplete surgical excision
• Since malignant transformation of this tumor can occur, one should seek immediate medical attention, if it suddenly grows larger in size

How is Syringocystadenoma Papilliferum of Skin Treated?

The treatment of Syringocystadenoma Papilliferum of Skin may involve the following:

• The treatment is a complete surgical excision, which results in a cure
• Once the tumor is completely removed, it usually does not recur. An incomplete removal of the tumor may result in a recurrence
• If the tumor is large, then the hole left by surgery can be fixed with skin grafts
• Studies have shown that radiation therapy is not useful in these types of tumors
• Cauterization (burning-off) the tumor can be performed using a CO2 laser

Most of Syringocystadenoma Papilliferum of Skin is removed to confirm the diagnosis and to eliminate the possibility of other skin tumor types.

How can Syringocystadenoma Papilliferum of Skin be Prevented?

Currently, there are no known methods to prevent Syringocystadenoma Papilliferum of Skin occurrence.

What is the Prognosis of Syringocystadenoma Papilliferum of Skin? (Outcomes/Resolutions)

The prognosis for Syringocystadenoma Papilliferum of Skin is excellent with appropriate treatment, since it is a benign tumor.

Additional and Relevant Useful Information for Syringocystadenoma Papilliferum of Skin:

Sometimes, Syringocystadenoma Papilliferum can arise in nevus sebaceous of Jadassohn (a lesion of the sebaceous glands seen on the face and scalp).

Please visit our Skin Health Center for more physician-approved health information:

http://www.dovemed.com/healthy-living/skin-disorders/