Pathology of Hidradenoma Papilliferum (Papillary Hidradenoma)

Pathology of Hidradenoma

Papilliferum (Papillary Hidradenoma)

Dr Sampurna Roy MD 2022

Answer - Hidradenoma Papilliferum

Hidradenoma papilliferum (papillary hidradenoma) is a benign tumour and was previously regarded as an apocrine tumour. Hidradenoma papilliferum was first described by Worth in 1878.

Cooper and Mac Donald, in 1944, described the first case of perianal hidradenoma papilliferum.

According to some authors this tumour is a variant of apocrine adenoma with specific features.

Now there is increasing evidence to suggest that it is closely related to the recently described mammary-like anogenital glands.

Site: Almost always located in the vulval or perianal reginions. Ectopic lesions have been reported on the face, scalp, eyelid, auditory canal and arm.

Clinical presentation: The tumour usually occurs in middle aged women as small nodules (1cm or less in size).

Microscopic features:

Histologically, these are circumscribed solid or partly cystic tumour containing papillary and glandular areas.

There are two types of epithelium - tall columnar cells with pale eosinophilic cytoplasm and underlying myoepithelial cell layer.

Prominent apocrine changes are noted in areas.

Mitotic count is occasionally high.

PAS- positive diastase-resistant granules are present in the apices of the large cells.

Differential Diagnosis:

The differential diagnosis includes adenocarcinoma.