Hidradenocarcinoma

Hidradenocarcinoma is a rare tumor caused by the abnormal growth of cells in a sweat gland.  It is a type of cancer that usually begins as a single spot (lesion) on the skin of the head or neck, but can be been found on other parts of the body. This type of tumor most often develops in people between the ages of 30-60 years old, but has been found in children.  Hidradenocarcinoma is usually painless and tends to grow slowly, but may spread into nearby tissues, especially lymph nodes, or to more distant parts of the body (metastasis). The cause of the tumor is unknown. Diagnosis is usually made by careful examination and a series of special skin tests. The main treatment is surgical removal of the tumor often followed by radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy. Long term outlook is best when the cancer is found early.