Eccrine Porocarcinoma Presenting as a Hand Cyst

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Oncology

Background:

• Eccrine porocarcinoma is a rare malignant neoplasm originating from eccrine duct epithelium.
• Characterized by high rates of local recurrence and metastatic spread, with a poor prognosis if metastasis occurs.

Observation:

• Presents a rare case of eccrine porocarcinoma manifesting as a cyst on the dorsum of the right hand.
• The patient was a 37-year-old male, an uncommon demographic for this tumor.

Findings:

• This specific presentation is rare, with only 8% of cases occurring in the upper extremity and 3% on the hand.
• The tumor is typically more prevalent in females with a mean age of diagnosis around 67 years.

Implications:

• The variable clinical presentation of eccrine porocarcinoma can challenge diagnosis and delay treatment.
• Wide local excision with biopsy-confirmed clear margins is the curative treatment, effective in 70-80% of patients.