SWEAT GLAND CARCINOMA NEAR EXTERNAL EAR: Difficulty in Diagnosis by Incisional Biopsy

Abstract

IT MUST be presumed that as an otolaryngologist I do not see sweat gland carcinoma, since persons with such lesions usually consult the dermatologist or oncologist. Within a period of less than one year, however, three cases of sweat gland carcinoma came under my observation. In all these cases early diagnosis by incisional biopsies did not establish the diagnosis of sweat gland carcinoma. Only after excision or repeated biopsies was this diagnosis made. In one case, the diagnosis made from one biopsy was basal-cell carcinoma. This tumor was conservatively excised, but there was recurrence. Another biopsy specimen was taken, and squamous-cell carcinoma was reported. When the patient was being operated on, it was found that there was a large tumor invading the parotid gland and the bone forming the tympanic plate. A wide excision was carried out. From the histologic study of the entire specimen the diagnosis of sweat gland