sweat gland carcinoma

Last reviewed 01/2018

Sweat gland carcinoma is a rare form of epithelial tumour. Two histological forms are recognised on the basis of the type of sweat gland that turns malignant: eccrine or apocrine. Eccrine is the more common.

Typically, onset is in middle age. They tend to have an equal incidence in males and females. Clinically, they present with firm, irregular nodules. Insidious local growth may belie the fact that there may be aggressive distant spread, particularly for eccrine gland carcinoma.

Treatment is by wide local excision. Regular review is vital due to the tendency to recur.