Skin nonmelanocytic tumor

Adnexal tumors

Sweat gland derived (apocrine & eccrine glands)

Microcystic adnexal carcinoma



Last author update: 1 June 2012
Last staff update: 6 November 2020

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PubMed Search: Microcystic adnexal carcinoma [title]

Christopher S. Hale, M.D.
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Cite this page: Hale C. Microcystic adnexal carcinoma. PathologyOutlines.com website. https://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/skintumornonmelanocyticsclerosingsweatductcarcinoma.html. Accessed September 22nd, 2023.
Definition / general
  • Also called sclerosing sweat gland carcinoma
  • Slow growing nodule or plaque, usually on upper lip or face
  • Difficult to achieve negative surgical margins, commonly recurs, metastases very rare
  • Perineural invasion common
Case reports
Gross description
  • Slow-growing facial plaque
Gross images

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Large, hard-rubbery neoplasm

Microscopic (histologic) description
  • Cords and nests of bland keratinocytes, keratin cysts and ductal differentiation
  • Dense collagenous stroma
  • Is invasive, may extend into subcutis or perineural spaces
  • Resembles syringoma
  • Rarely is sebaceous differentiation
Microscopic (histologic) images

Contributed by Mark R. Wick, M.D.

Differential diagnosis
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