Apocrine carcinoma is a rare disease, accounting for about 0.05% of all skin cancers. The age group from 50 to 70 often has apocrine carcinoma.
Currently, surgery is the most recommended treatment method. However, the recurrence rate of this type of cancer is high, so early diagnosis is extremely important to limit the invasiveness of the tumor.
The tumor is usually located in the head, face, and neck. Most tumors appear alone, are hard, firm, and vary in size from 1 to 5 cm. The lesion on the tumor surface may have surrounding vasodilation or surface ulcers.
Doctor Nguyen Canh Tung, Department of Plastic Surgery and Rehabilitation, Central Dermatology Hospital, said that there was a case of a 74-year-old patient coming to the clinic with a tumor appearing on the scalp in the occipital region, ulcerated, and painful.
Initially the wound was the size of a fingertip. After 6-7 years, the lesion rapidly increased in size, changed shape, and had oozing ulcers, but the patient still did not seek medical treatment.
Through clinical examination, doctors suspected that the lesion was not benign, so they ordered a histopathological test to determine the nature of the tumor. After surgery, sweat gland cancer was discovered, also known as Eccrine Porocarcinoma.
The patient underwent extensive surgery and reconstruction of the defect using skin grafting. After surgery, the patient was stable, discharged from the hospital and returned for monthly follow-up visits.
Health experts recommend that when small tumors or unusual changes appear on the skin, patients should go to medical facilities for timely treatment.
In addition, it is necessary to have a regular lifestyle, supplement with lots of vegetables, vitamins, and drink enough water every day. Maintain exercise to improve health and resistance for the body. Limit the use of stimulants such as alcohol, beer, cigarettes, and coffee.
