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

• Eccrine Syringomatous Carcinoma
• Syringoid Carcinoma
• Syringoid Eccrine Carcinoma

What is Eccrine Carcinoma? (Definition/Background Information)

• Eccrine Carcinoma is a rare and aggressive malignant tumor that originates from the sweat glands in the skin. It typically presents as a plaque or nodule on the scalp and has a high rate of local recurrence
• It can also occur on other sites of the body, such as the face, neck, trunk, or extremities. Individuals having a history of radiation therapy or chronic skin ulcers should be monitored for the development of skin cancers. Eccrine Carcinoma is more common in middle-aged women and may be present for many years before diagnosis
• Histologically, Eccrine Carcinoma is characterized by a dermal-based tumor that infiltrates surrounding tissues, such as the subcutis and underlying skeletal muscle. Immunohistochemistry can help to confirm the diagnosis, and the differential diagnosis includes other tumors that may involve the skin
• Surgical excision is the treatment of choice for Eccrine Carcinoma. The prognosis is dependent upon the stage of the cancer, but is improved with prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment (surgery)

Who gets Eccrine Carcinoma? (Age and Sex Distribution)

• Eccrine Carcinoma is a rare tumor, accounting for less than 1% of all skin cancers
• It is more common in middle-aged women
• Generally, there is no racial or ethnic group preference noted

What are the Risk Factors for Eccrine Carcinoma? (Predisposing Factors)

• There are few known risk factors for Eccrine Carcinoma
• However, those who have a history of previous radiation therapy or chronic skin ulcers are at a higher risk of developing this form of skin cancer

It is important to note that having a risk factor does not mean that one will get the condition. A risk factor increases one’s 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 Eccrine Carcinoma? (Etiology)

Eccrine Carcinoma is a rare skin cancer that arises from the sweat glands in the skin. The exact cause of the development of carcinoma is not well understood.

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Eccrine Carcinoma?

The signs and symptoms of Eccrine Carcinoma typically include the following:

• Presence of a plaque or nodule on the scalp or other areas of the body such as the face, neck, trunk, or extremities
• The lesion may be present for many years before diagnosis and can be locally aggressive
• It may also be painful and cause alopecia in the affected scalp area

How is Eccrine Carcinoma Diagnosed?

• The diagnosis of Eccrine Carcinoma is typically made through a skin biopsy
• Although Eccrine Carcinoma shares some features with syringoma, it is a distinct entity with unique clinical, histological, and immunohistochemical characteristics

Histological features:

Eccrine Carcinoma is a dermal-based tumor that infiltrates the surrounding tissues, including the subcutis and underlying skeletal muscle. Perineural invasion is a common finding. The tumor is composed of basaloid epithelial cells forming ducts and cords with uniform hyperchromatic nuclei. The tumor cells may have clear cytoplasm due to glycogen, which can be highlighted with PAS stain. Lumen formation is a characteristic feature, and the tumor may have a hand mirror shape similar to syringoma. Unlike syringoma, however, Eccrine Carcinoma does not form keratocysts.

Immunohistochemistry:

Immunohistochemical staining can help to confirm the diagnosis of Eccrine Carcinoma. The lumina are highlighted by EMA and/or CEA, and the tumor cells are positive for p63, high and low molecular weight cytokeratins. Focal immunoreactivity for S100 may be seen. These findings help to distinguish Eccrine Carcinoma from other tumors that may involve the skin.

Differential diagnosis: The differential diagnosis of Eccrine Carcinoma includes the following:

• Microcystic adnexal carcinoma: It has a similar growth pattern and perineural invasion, but it is distinguished by the presence of keratocysts, which are absent in Eccrine Carcinoma
• Squamoid eccrine ductal carcinoma: It is a rare tumor with both basaloid ductal elements and areas of squamous differentiation
• Adenoid cystic carcinoma: It is characterized by a cribriform architecture, which is typically absent in Eccrine Carcinoma
• Infiltrative basal cell carcinoma: It lacks true lumen formation, and it is often negative for EMA and CEA

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 Eccrine Carcinoma?

• The main complication of Eccrine Carcinoma is the high rate of local recurrence and local aggression
• Other complications may include lymph node and distant metastasis, although these are relatively uncommon
• Emotional stress due to the malignancy and reduced quality of life

How is Eccrine Carcinoma Treated?

Surgical excision is the treatment of choice for Eccrine Carcinoma.

• Wide excision of the tumor and surrounding tissue is typically recommended to ensure complete removal
• Other treatment options, such as radiation therapy and chemotherapy, may be considered in certain cases

How can Eccrine Carcinoma be Prevented?

• There are currently no known measures to currently prevent Eccrine Carcinoma
• Individuals who have a history of radiation therapy or chronic skin ulcers should be monitored for the development of skin cancers

What is the Prognosis of Eccrine Carcinoma? (Outcomes/Resolutions)

Eccrine Carcinoma is a rare and aggressive malignant tumor that arises from the sweat glands in the skin. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential for a good prognosis.

• The prognosis depends on several factors, such as the stage of cancer, and the extent of the surgical excision
• In general, Eccrine Carcinoma is locally aggressive and has a high rate of local recurrence. However, the incidence of lymph node and distant metastasis is generally low

Additional and Relevant Useful Information for Eccrine Carcinoma:

The following link is a useful resource for information on other skin conditions on DoveMed:

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