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Malignant eccrine spiradenoma


Other Names:
Eccrine spiradenoma, malignant; MES
Categories:
Malignant eccrine spiradenoma is a type of tumor that develops from a sweat gland in the skin.  It starts as a rapidly-growing bump on the head or abdomen, and may cause tenderness, redness, or an open wound.[1]  The exact cause of malignant eccrine spiradenoma is unknown, though it is thought that sun exposure or problems with the immune system (immunosuppression) may contribute to the development of this tumor.[2]  Because malignant eccrine spiradenoma is quite rare, there are no established treatment guidelines; however, in practice, surgery is often performed to remove the tumor and additional treatments may follow, depending on the severity and extent of the cancer.[1][2]
Last updated: 11/14/2011
Surgery to remove as much of the tumor as possible is usually the first step of treatment for malignant eccrine spiradenoma.  Both a traditional surgical technique known as wide local excision and the newer Mohs micrographic surgery are thought to be effective for treating this cancer.  Additional treatment may include radiation therapy to destroy any cancer cells that might remain after surgery.  Though chemotherapy has been used in cases of malignant eccrine spiradenoma, it is thought to be of limited help in treating this disease.[1]
Last updated: 11/14/2011
There is one article which reviews treatment and survival in 72 patients with malignant eccrine spiradenoma.  For those patients whose cancer remained in the original location and had not spread to nearby lymph nodes, all of them were alive and disease-free during the time they were followed by their physicians (the follow-up time for these individuals ranged from six months to 12 years, with an average follow-up time of three years for the group).  Of the patients whose tumor had spread to lymph nodes, half were alive and disease-free during follow-up (the follow-up time for these individuals ranged from two months to 8 years, with an average follow-up time of four years for the group).  Survival was the lowest for those patients whose tumor had spread beyond the lymph nodes to more distant parts of the body (metastasized).[1]
Last updated: 11/14/2011

These resources provide more information about this condition or associated symptoms. The in-depth resources contain medical and scientific language that may be hard to understand. You may want to review these resources with a medical professional.

In-Depth Information

  • Medscape Reference provides information on this topic. You may need to register to view the medical textbook, but registration is free.
  • The Monarch Initiative brings together data about this condition from humans and other species to help physicians and biomedical researchers. Monarch’s tools are designed to make it easier to compare the signs and symptoms (phenotypes) of different diseases and discover common features. This initiative is a collaboration between several academic institutions across the world and is funded by the National Institutes of Health. Visit the website to explore the biology of this condition.
  • PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Malignant eccrine spiradenoma. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.

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  1. Andreoli MT, Itani KM. Malignant eccrine spiradenoma: a meta-analysis of reported cases. American Journal of Surgery. 2011; 201:695-699. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20851376. Accessed 11/8/2011.
  2. Kampshoff JL, Cogbill TH. Unusual skin tumors: Merkel cell carcinoma, eccrine carcinoma, glomus tumors, and dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans. Surgical Clinics of North America. 2009; 89:727-738. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19465208. Accessed 11/8/2011.