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Book

Microcystic Adnexal Carcinoma

Patrick M. Zito  1 , Thomas Mazzoni  2
In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan.
.
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Book

Microcystic Adnexal Carcinoma

Patrick M. Zito et al.
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Excerpt

Microcystic adnexal carcinoma (MAC) is a rare malignant sweat gland tumor that commonly occurs on the head and neck. MAC has a predilection for the central face but may be found although it may be found on the trunk, axilla, extremities, and genitals. MAC is characterized by its slow growth but local aggressiveness.

There are approximately 200 cases worldwide; however, it was Goldstein and others that first described MAC in 1982.

MAC has been mentioned under a number of names, including:

  1. Sclerosing sweat duct carcinoma (SSDC)

  2. Malignant syringoma

  3. Syringoid eccrine carcinoma

  4. Eccrine epithelioma

  5. Syringomatous carcinoma

  6. Sweat gland carcinoma with syringomatous features

The tumor, known as syringomatous adenoma of the nipple, has been considered MAC; however, this is debated. MAC is known to have perineural invasion (upwards of 80%) with infiltration beyond clinically apparent margins. However, it has little metastatic potential but often recurs.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure: Patrick Zito declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.

Disclosure: Thomas Mazzoni declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.

References

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    1. Gerall CD, Sippel MR, Yracheta JL, Hogan FS. Microcystic Adnexal Carcinoma: A Rare, Commonly Misdiagnosed Malignancy. Mil Med. 2019 Dec 01;184(11-12):948-950. - PubMed
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    1. Inskip M, Magee J. Microcystic adnexal carcinoma of the cheek-a case report with dermatoscopy and dermatopathology. Dermatol Pract Concept. 2015 Jan;5(1):43-6. - PMC - PubMed

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