Ductal eccrine carcinoma with squamous differentiation: apropos a case

Abstract

Sweat gland carcinomas are rare. Given this, they can pose a diagnostic challenge especially in shave biopsy specimens. We present a case of ductal eccrine carcinoma with extensive squamoid differentiation that was repeatedly misdiagnosed by multiple dermatopathologists as squamous cell carcinoma in the initial few biopsies. As the distinction between these two neoplasms is crucial to patient management, we highlight the histologic features of this uncommon entity to highlight the potential diagnostic pitfalls.