Syringoma: Understanding Your Pathology Report

by Jason Wasserman MD PhD FRCPC
March 2, 2026

A syringoma is a benign (noncancerous) tumor that develops from the ducts of sweat glands in the skin. Sweat glands help regulate body temperature by producing sweat.

Syringomas are harmless and do not spread to other parts of the body. They typically grow slowly and remain small.

Although syringomas can occur at any age, they are most commonly diagnosed in adults. They may appear in middle age or later in life, but they can also occur in younger individuals.

Where are syringomas found?

Syringomas most often develop on the face, especially on the eyelids and around the eyes. In some people, multiple syringomas may be present.

Less commonly, syringomas can be found on the neck, chest, abdomen, back, or genital region. They usually appear as small, firm, flesh-colored or slightly yellowish bumps on the skin.

What causes a syringoma?

Syringomas develop from cells that line the small ducts of sweat glands. The exact reason these cells begin to grow and form a tumor is not fully understood.

They are not caused by infection, are not contagious, and are not related to skin cancer. In most cases, they occur sporadically, meaning without a clear inherited cause.

What symptoms can occur?

Syringomas are usually painless and do not cause symptoms. Most people seek medical attention for cosmetic reasons, especially when the tumors appear on the eyelids or face.

In rare cases, syringomas may become irritated or itchy.

How is this diagnosis made?

The diagnosis of syringoma is usually made after a small sample of the lesion is removed by biopsy or after the entire lesion is removed in an excision.

The tissue is examined under a microscope by a pathologist, who confirms the diagnosis based on the characteristic microscopic features.

Microscopic features

Under the microscope, syringoma is composed of small ducts and cords of epithelial cells embedded within a dense, fibrous connective tissue.

The ducts often have a comma-shaped or tadpole-like appearance, a classic feature of syringoma. The ducts are lined by two layers of small, uniform cells. The cells appear bland, meaning they do not show abnormal features such as significant atypia or increased mitotic activity.

Because the cells appear normal and do not invade surrounding structures, these findings confirm that syringoma is benign.

What does it mean if the tumor was incompletely excised?

When a syringoma is removed, the pathologist examines the margins, which are the edges of the removed tissue.

If tumor cells are seen at the edge of the tissue, the tumor is described as incompletely excised or with positive margins. This means that a portion of the tumor may remain in the skin.

If no tumor cells are seen at the edges, the margins are described as negative, which suggests that the tumor was completely removed.

It is common for a syringoma to be incompletely excised after a small biopsy, since biopsies are performed for diagnosis and are not intended to remove the entire lesion. If complete removal is desired for cosmetic reasons, an additional procedure may be performed.

Does a syringoma need treatment?

Syringomas are benign and do not require treatment for medical reasons. Treatment is usually performed for cosmetic purposes.

Options may include surgical removal, laser therapy, or other dermatologic procedures. Recurrence can occur if the lesion is not completely removed.

Questions you may want to ask your doctor

• Was the entire syringoma removed?

• Are the margins negative?

• Is additional treatment necessary?

• What are the options for cosmetic removal?

• Is there a risk of recurrence?