Differential diagnostics of sebaceous tumors

Abstract

Sebaceous tumors are epithelial tumors with a differentiation towards sebaceous adnexal structures of the skin. They imitate the epithelial cells of mature sebaceous glands, sebaceous ducts, immature (embryonic) sebaceous structures or sebaceous glands that are not stimulated by hormones (mantle structures). This article explains the classification of sebaceous tumors on the basis of the normal histology of sebaceous glands. Clinical and histopathological criteria are given for the most important sebaceous tumors. The differential diagnosis of sebaceoma, sebaceous adenoma and various types of sebaceous carcinoma is emphasized. The importance of a specific diagnosis of adnexal tumors is demonstrated by tumor-associated syndromes with involvement of other organs (e.g., Muir-Torre syndrome and Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome). Furthermore, conceptional controversies, problems in differential diagnosis and the impact of immunohistochemical staining in the assessment of sebaceous tumors are considered.