J Korean Soc Plast Reconstr Surg.
2009 May;36(3):361-364.
Two Cases of Sebaceous Carcinoma on Scalp
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, National Medical Center, Seoul, Korea. nmcps@unitel.co.kr
Abstract
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PURPOSE: Sebaceous carcinoma is a rare malignant tumor derived from the adnexal epithelium of sebaceous glands. This tumor usually occurs on the eyelids, but uncommonly it may occur on the extraocular sites. It is characterized by a tendency of local recurrence and occasional metastasis. Surgical excision is appropriate treatment for patients with sebaceous carcinoma. While this kind of case is rare, we report two cases of sebaceous carcinoma developed on scalp.
METHODS
Case 1 was a 69-year-old woman. She visited the hospital with a 1.5 x 2.5 cm sized reddish yellow-colored, slowly growing mass on the left parietal scalp. The mass began at birth and started growing 5 years ago. Case 2 was a 67-year-old woman. She had 2.5 x 3.0 cm sized yellow-colored mass on the right parietal scalp. It occurred at birth and started growing 3 years ago. And the masses had erythematous ulcer with sanguineous discharge. In the beginning, the masses were miliary nodule.
RESULTS
CT scan and fine needle biopsy were done. Case 1 and 2 were diagnosed as sebaceous carcinoma. Wide excision with safety margin of 10 mm and split thickness skin graft was done. Histological examination revealed well demarcated, irregular, variable sized tumor lobules. Each lobule was composed of sebaceous and undifferentiated cells. Postoperatively, the patients did well and the lesion did not recur.
CONCLUSION
Sebaceous carcinoma is an aggressive malignant tumor. It is often confused with other skin tumors. Authors experienced two rare cases of sebaceous carcinoma developed on scalp. We recommend early wide excision with enough safety margin as treatment of sebaceous carcinoma.
