Spiradenoma

by Jason Wasserman MD PhD FRCPC
April 21, 2022

What is a spiradenoma?

Spiradenoma is a non-cancerous type of skin tumour. The tumour develops from sweat glands normally found in the skin. People with Brooke–Spiegler syndrome commonly develop multiple spiradenomas. This syndrome is associated with an alteration in the gene CLYD.

Where are spiradenomas found?

Spiradenomas are typically found on the face, upper chest, and back.

How do pathologists make the diagnosis of spiradenoma?

The diagnosis is usually made after the entire tumour has been removed in a procedure called an excision. The diagnosis can also be made after only a small part of the tumour is removed in a procedure called a biopsy.

What is a margin?

A margin is any tissue that was cut by the surgeon in order to remove the tumour from your body. A negative margin means there were no tumour cells at the edge of the tissue. A margin is considered positive when there are tumour cells at the edge of the tissue. A positive margin is associated with a higher risk that the tumour will grow back (recur) in the same site after treatment.