Cutaneous apocrine adenocarcinoma: Defining epidemiology, outcomes, and optimal therapy for a rare neoplasm

Kerry L. Hollowell, Steven C. Agle, Emmanuel E. Zervos, Timothy L. Fitzgerald

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

37 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background and Objectives Apocrine adenocarcinoma is a rare neoplasm. There is a paucity of data on demographics and survival with no clear consensus on management of at risk lymph nodes, therefore, we analyzed a large cohort of patients identified via a national tumor registry. Methods Patients ages 17-91 from 1973 to 2006 were identified in the SEER registry and excluded breast and non-cutaneous neoplasms. Data analyzed included basic demographics, survival, surgical therapy, and stage. Results A total of 186 patients with apocrine adenocarcinoma were identified. The median age was 67 years, 76% were white and there was an equal distribution of males and females. The most common site was trunk (53%) followed by head and neck (35%). Surgery was performed on most patients (96%), either excision (50%) or wide excision (30%). Lymph node metastases were present in 69% patients undergoing node surgery. Median overall survival was 51.5 months. Positive lymph node status (P=0.006) and metastatic disease (P<0.001) were associated with diminished overall survival. Conclusions Cutaneous apocrine adenocarcinoma is a rare neoplasm. Excision is standard treatment. The most important predictor of survival in localized disease is lymph node status; therefore, sentinel lymph node biopsy could be considered in management of this disease.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)415-419
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of Surgical Oncology
Volume105
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 15 2012
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • cutaneous neoplasm
  • seer registry
  • sentinel lymph node

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery
  • Oncology

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