Apocrine gland carcinoma
Apocrine Gland Carcinoma[edit | edit source]
Apocrine gland carcinoma is a rare type of malignant tumor that arises from the apocrine glands, which are specialized sweat glands found primarily in the axilla, anogenital region, and the areola of the breast. These glands are responsible for secreting a milky fluid that is part of the body's sweat and pheromone production.
Pathophysiology[edit | edit source]
Apocrine gland carcinoma is characterized by the uncontrolled growth of cells originating from the apocrine glands. These tumors can exhibit a variety of histological patterns, often resembling other types of adenocarcinoma. The tumor cells typically show apocrine differentiation, which can be identified by their large size, abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm, and prominent nucleoli.
Clinical Presentation[edit | edit source]
Patients with apocrine gland carcinoma may present with a palpable mass in areas where apocrine glands are located, such as the axilla or the groin. The mass may be painful or tender, and in some cases, ulceration or discharge may be present. Due to its rarity, apocrine gland carcinoma is often misdiagnosed as other more common skin conditions.
Diagnosis[edit | edit source]
The diagnosis of apocrine gland carcinoma is primarily based on histopathological examination. A biopsy of the lesion is performed, and the tissue is examined under a microscope. Immunohistochemical staining can help differentiate apocrine gland carcinoma from other types of skin cancers by highlighting specific markers associated with apocrine differentiation.
Treatment[edit | edit source]
The primary treatment for apocrine gland carcinoma is surgical excision with clear margins. Depending on the stage and location of the tumor, additional treatments such as radiation therapy or chemotherapy may be considered. Due to the potential for local recurrence and metastasis, regular follow-up is essential.
Prognosis[edit | edit source]
The prognosis for apocrine gland carcinoma varies depending on the stage at diagnosis and the presence of metastasis. Early-stage tumors that are completely excised have a better prognosis, while advanced cases with regional or distant metastasis may have a poorer outcome.
Related Pages[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
