Sweat gland carcinoma. Current concepts of surgical management.

In three new cases of sweat gland carcinoma that we observed within recent years, the sites were the axilla, back, and arm. Axillary lymph node dissections were performed in two of the patients and the nodes were normal. Preoperative diagnoses were hydroadenitis, squamous cell carcinoma of the skin, and pyogenic granuloma. In one patient who was followed up for four years, there has been no recurrence; the follow-up period for the other two has been short. Sweat gland carcinoma is an uncommon neoplasm that occurs mostly in the older age groups. It may be very slow growing and is extremely difficult to diagnose preoperatively. Lymph node metastases are frequent and overall survival is poor. Prognosis is related to histologic cell type and presence or absence of lymph node metastases. Treatment by wide local excision of the lesion and primary regional node dissection is recommended.