Histomorphological Patterns of Skin Adnexal Tumours in a Tertiary Care Centre, Chhattisgarh, India: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Histologically, tumours of the epidermal appendages have been classified into four groups that exhibit histologic features analogous to hair follicles, sebaceous glands, apocrine glands, and eccrine glands. Aim: To investigate the histomorphological spectrum and distribution of Skin Adnexal Tumours (SATs). Materials and Methods: This observational descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted over a period of five years, from August 2017 to July 2022, in the Department of Pathology at Pt. JNMMC Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India. All histologically diagnosed cases of SATs in the pathology department during this period were included, along with relevant data such as age, sex, anatomical location of tumours, and clinical diagnosis. Results were presented in the form of frequency distribution in terms of numbers and percentages. Results: Out of a total of 51 SATs, the male-to-female ratio was 1:1.3, indicating a female preponderance. The highest number of cases was observed in the age group of 41-60 years, comprising 17 cases (33.3%). Benign tumours accounted for 35 cases (68.63%), while malignant tumours comprised 16 cases (31.37%). Tumours associated with hair follicles were the most common, with 25 cases (49.02%). The head and neck region was the most common site for SATs, comprising 30 cases (58.82%). Pilomatrixoma was the most common benign SAT, constituting 13 cases (25.49%). Among malignant SATs, sebaceous carcinoma was the most prevalent, comprising seven cases (13.73%). Conclusion: SATs present a diagnostic challenge for both clinicians and pathologists due to their diverse clinical presentations and overlapping histopathological features. While most SATs are benign, their malignant counterparts, although rare, have an aggressive course with metastatic potential and poor outcomes. Therefore, early detection of malignant SATs is crucial. Present study emphasised that histopathological examination is the gold standard for establishing early diagnosis and enabling appropriate therapeutic intervention.

Keywords

• appendageal tumourigenesis
• benign tumour
• epidermal appendages
• differentiated
• malignant tumour
• pilomatrixoma