A Case of Primary Cutaneous Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma

Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the skin is the rarest type of eccrine sweat gland carcinoma. Although it is mostly known as a neoplasm of the salivary gland, it could occur as a primary tumor of the skin. We report a case of primary cutaneous adenoid cystic carcinoma in a 75-year-old male patient with two local recurrences. It was a lobulated tender erythematous nodule on the scalp measuring 2.5 1 cm. Histopathologic examination after total excision showed cribriform, tubular, and solid masses of various size and shape involving dermis and the upper part of subcutis including perineural invasion. They consisted of almost uniform basaloid cells surrounded by myxoid or slightly fibrotic stroma. Adjacent organ such as salivary gland, bronchus, esophagus, and regional lymph nodes were examined with no evidence of neoplasm. Systemic evaluation for metastasis were also negative. (Korean J Dermatol 2004;42(5):612-615)