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Syringoma in Child
See also in: External and Internal Eye,Anogenital
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Syringoma in Child

See also in: External and Internal Eye,Anogenital
Contributors: Daniel Gutierrez MD, Mat Davey MD, Belinda Tan MD, PhD, Susan Burgin MD
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Synopsis

Syringomas are benign adnexal tumors derived from intraepidermal luminal cells of eccrine sweat ducts. They present as small, dome-shaped papules, often in a periorbital distribution. They may, however, occur at any site on the body. They are seen more frequently in women and in those with Down syndrome. Although usually sporadic, familial cases have been reported and inherited in an autosomal dominant manner. Treatment of these lesions is cosmetic.

Codes

ICD10CM:
D23.9 – Other benign neoplasm of skin, unspecified

SNOMEDCT:
302828001 – Syringoma of skin

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Last Reviewed:10/21/2019
Last Updated:10/21/2019
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Patient Information for Syringoma in Child
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Contributors: Medical staff writer

Overview

Syringoma is a non-cancerous (benign) bump, usually found on the upper cheeks and lower eyelids of young adults. Syringomas are completely harmless and are caused by the overgrowth of cells from sweat glands (eccrine glands).

Who’s At Risk

Syringomas can appear at any age, though they usually occur after puberty. Syringomas can develop in people of any race and of either sex, though females are more commonly affected.

Syringomas sometimes run in families. Up to 18% of people with Down syndrome have syringomas. People with diabetes mellitus are more likely to have a type known as clear cell syringomas.

A less common condition, eruptive syringomas, is more commonly seen in people with darker skin.

Signs & Symptoms

The most common locations for syringomas include:
  • Upper cheeks
  • Lower eyelids
  • Armpits
  • Chest
  • Abdomen
  • Forehead
  • Genitalia (penis or vulva)
Syringomas typically appear as small (1-3 mm) skin-colored-to-yellowish bumps. They usually occur in clusters on both sides of the body and in an evenly distributed (symmetrical) fashion.

Eruptive syringomas appear as multiple lesions that all develop at the same time, usually on the chest and abdomen.

Syringomas do not itch or cause pain.

Self-Care Guidelines

Any new skin growth should be examined by your doctor in order to obtain a correct diagnosis.

When to Seek Medical Care

See a dermatologist or another physician if any new growth develops on your skin.

Treatments

If the diagnosis of syringoma is suspected, the doctor may want to perform a skin biopsy.

The procedure involves:
  1. Numbing the skin with an injectable anesthetic.
  2. Sampling a small piece of skin by using a flexible razor blade, a scalpel, or a tiny cookie cutter (called a "punch biopsy"). If a punch biopsy is taken, a stitch (suture) or two may be placed and will need to be removed 6-14 days later.
  3. Having the skin sample examined under the microscope by a specially trained physician (dermatopathologist).
If syringoma is diagnosed, no treatment is necessary because it is a benign condition. However, many people find syringomas cosmetically disturbing and want to have them removed.

Though there is a risk of scarring, destruction of syringomas is fairly simple and may include:
  • Burning (cauterization) with an electric needle
  • Cutting out (excision) with a scalpel, scissors, or flexible razor blade
  • Carbon dioxide laser treatment
  • Procedure to rub out the lesion (dermabrasion)
  • Freezing (cryosurgery) with liquid nitrogen

References


Bolognia, Jean L., ed. Dermatology, pp.1745-1746. New York: Mosby, 2003.

Freedberg, Irwin M., ed. Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine. 6th ed. pp.1823. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2003.
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Syringoma in Child
See also in: External and Internal Eye,Anogenital
A medical illustration showing key findings of Syringoma : Face, Smooth papules, Tiny papules, Cheeks
Clinical image of Syringoma - imageId=160788. Click to open in gallery.  caption: 'Many translucent and light brown papules on the cheek and inferior eyelid.'
Many translucent and light brown papules on the cheek and inferior eyelid.
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