Histomorphological spectrum of skin adenexal tumors in a tertiary care centre: A 3 year retrospective study

Introduction: Skin Adnexal tumors are rare tumors. They are categorized into sweat gland tumors (eccrine and apocrine), hair follicle tumors and sebaceous gland tumors based on line of differentiation. Benign tumors are more prevalent than the malignant tumors. Aim: To study the spectrum of skin adnexal tumors with respect to age, sex, site and histopathological pattern. Methodology: Retrospective study of 60 histopathologically confirmed cases of skin adnexal tumors in a tertiary hospital over a period of three years (Jan 2014- Dec 2016). All the specimen of tumors received during this period were analysed and lesions were categorized according to WHO classification system for Skin Adnexal Tumors. Result: In the present study 95% of the tumors were benign with majority of cases in 21-30 years age group. M:F ratio was 1.07:1. Head and neck was the commonly affected site and Follicular tumors comprised the majority of tumors (51.7%) and Pilomatrixoma was the commonest tumor encountered. Conclusion: Histopathological examination proves to be the gold standard in the diagnosis of cutaneous adnexal tumors due to their wide spectrum and frequency of differentiation along two different lines within the same lesion.