Poromas of the head and neck.

Abstract

The "eccrine" poroma is a benign neoplasm previously thought to originate from the eccrine sweat gland. Early studies suggested that these were primarily lesions of the hairless acral surfaces. This article reports the clinical and histologic findings of 10 cases of poroma of the head and neck area. The clinical and histologic findings of 10 cases of poroma of the head and neck area are compared with 10 poromas occurring on the extremities. Some poromas demonstrated evidence for apocrine origin. Unlike poromas found on the extremities, head and neck poromas were usually asymptomatic and were never correctly diagnosed clinically. Although 9 of 10 poromas on the extremities occurred in male patients, the head and neck poromas showed no gender predilection. Clinicians should be aware that poromas can occur in the head and neck area and may be of apocrine origin.