Pathology of Tubular Apocrine Adenoma

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Answer - Tubular Apocrine Adenoma

Apocrine adenomas are rare adnexal tumours.

Tubular apocrine adenoma (tubulopapillary hidradenoma with apocrine differentiation) was first described by Landry and Winkelmann in 1972.

Tubular apocrine adenomas show some features of syringocystadenoma papilliferum .Some cases have been associated with naevus sebaceous.

Clinical presentation: Slow growing circumscribed nodule.

Site: Apocrine adenomas have been reported in the axilla, cheek and breast.

Cases reported in vulval and perianal region are now known as 'adenomas of anogenital mammary-like glands'.

Tubular apocrine adenomas are often located on the scalp.

Microscopic features:

Tumour is composed of well-differentiated dilated tubular structures situated in the dermis and sometimes in the subcutis ;

Tubules contain typical apocrine epithelial cells, some with hyaline or clear cell differentiation ;

Myoepithelial cells are also present (absent in adenocarcinoma) ;

Papillary projections and cystic changes may be present ;

Overlying epidermis may be hyperplastic ;

Tubules are separated by fibrous tissue with scanty inflammatory cells.