Poromas of the head and neck

Background: The "eccrine" poroma is a benign neoplasm previously thought to originate from the eccrine sweat gland. Early studies suggested that these were primarily lesions of the hairless acral surfaces. Objective: This article reports the clinical and histologic findings of 10 cases of poroma of the head and neck area. Methods: The clinical and histologic findings of 10 cases of poroma of the head and neck area are compared with 10 poromas occurring on the extremities. Results: Some poromas demonstrated evidence for apocrine origin. Unlike poromas found on the extremities, head and neck poromas were usually asymptomatic and were never correctly diagnosed clinically. Although 9 of 10 poromas on the extremities occurred in male patients, the head and neck poromas showed no gender predilection. Conclusion: Clinicians should be aware that poromas can occur in the head and neck area and may be of apocrine origin.