ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Apocrine cystadenoma (AC) and apocrine hidrocystoma (AH) have been used interchangeably in the literature to designate cystic lesions of apocrine glands. METHODS: We reviewed 21 cases with biopsies of apocrine cystic lesions diagnosed as AH or AC stained by hematoxylin and eosin. The following histological characteristics were recorded: (a) number of cysts, (b) predominant architectural growth pattern of cyst wall, (c) tumor circumscription, (d) nuclear atypia, (e) mitotic activity, counted per 1 mm2 and (f) Ki-67 staining pattern. RESULTS: Our findings clearly show that there is a non-proliferative group and a proliferative group among the lesions. In the non-proliferative group, one may see some structures that resemble papillary projections but lack a fibrous core. In the proliferative group, we found true papillae, and this change was associated with atypia, mitotic activity and increased Ki-67 staining. CONCLUSIONS: Apocrine cystic lesions with true papillary projections should be referred to as AC rather than AH, to emphasize the proliferative adenomatous growth and depicted by their frequency of cytological atypia and high mitotic activity. Furthermore, we suggest complete excision of AC that are proliferative tumors.
Subject(s)
Apocrine Glands/pathology , Cystadenoma/pathology , Hidrocystoma/pathology , Sweat Gland Neoplasms/pathology , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Child, Preschool , Cystadenoma/classification , Female , Hidrocystoma/classification , Humans , Immunohistochemistry , Ki-67 Antigen , Male , Middle Aged , Sweat Gland Neoplasms/classification , Terminology as TopicABSTRACT
PURPOSE: This article reviews the types of cutaneous cysts in patients referred to the Facial Lesion Clinic at John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth, TX, and proposes effective treatment modalities based on lesion and patient variables. Cyst variables included proper identification, size of the lesion, and acute or chronic processes. Patient considerations included age, skin type, and location. Medical and social histories were not noted. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eighty-two patients who had 1 or more cysts removed over the 5-year period from July 15, 1998 to July 14, 2003 were reviewed for age, gender, histologic diagnosis, anatomic location of the lesion, and complications. RESULTS: Patients with epidermal inclusion cysts (79%), followed by pilar cysts (9%), hidrocystomas and dermoid cysts (3% each), and multiple other diagnoses (less than 2%) were treated. Neither complications nor recurrent infections were reported during the 5-year interval. There were no recurrent cyst formations noted by return appointment. CONCLUSION: Cystic lesions of the head and neck may be treated effectively as long as they are correctly identified and treated in a specific manner.
