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Sebaceous Gland Adenoma
General Information
Sebaceous gland adenomas are slow-growing, benign cutaneous neoplasms involving
the gland or duct structures of the oil-producing sebaceous gland that resides in
mammalian skin. These tumors will appear as dome shaped masses with a yellow or
pearly white coloration to them similar to nodular sebaceous hyperplasia. The
sebaceous gland is responsible for producing a lubricating oil called sebum, and this
may be seen leaking from the mass. The overlying skin is often be hairless and may
also have ulcers.
Sebaceous adenomas can occur anywhere on the body, but most commonly form on
the head. If they occur within a modified sebaceous gland found in the eyelid, called the
meibomian gland, they are often brown or black in coloration due to the presence of
melanocytes. Sebaceous adenomas are similar in physical appearance to nodular
sebaceous hyperplasia, sebaceous epithelioma and sebaceous carcinoma. The
veterinarian should sample the nodule(s) and send them to a veterinary pathologist for a
differential diagnosis.
Risk Factors
Dogs and cats that are 10 years of age or older frequently develop these benign tumors.
Of the dog breeds, Coonhounds, Cocker Spaniels, English Cocker Spaniels,
Samoyeds, Beagles, Huskies, Dachshunds and Alaskan Malamutes are the most likely
to be affected. Persian cats are also at a higher risk.
Treatment
Sebaceous adenomas should be confirmed via cytology, histopathology or tissue
biopsy. Surgical removal is the treatment of choice.
Prognosis
Surgery is usually curative, provided the mass is completely removed. The chance of
recurrence in the same spot following a complete excision is low, but it is likely that the
animal will develop another growth in another sebaceous gland later in life.
Comparative Aspects
Sebaceous gland adenomas can occur in all domestic species, but they are primarily
considered a small animal neoplasm due to their high prevalence in older dogs and
cats.
The current human term for this kind of tumor is a sebaceoma. It is often grouped on a
continuum of sebaceous gland neoplasias that also include nodular sebaceous
hyperplasia and sebaceous epithelioma. They present as a small yellow or orange
bump usually on the face or scalp. They are more common in women 50 years or older
and may be associated with Muir-Torre syndrome in people.
References
"Epidermal and Hair Follicle Tumors.": Tumors of the Skin and Soft Tissues: Merck Veterinary Manual.
The Merck Veterinary Manual. Web. 03 June 2014.
Gross, Thelma Lee., and Thelma Lee. Gross. "Sebaceous Tumors." Skin Diseases of the Dog and Cat:
Clinical and Histopathologic Diagnosis. 2nd ed. Ames, IA: Blackwell Science, 2005. 645-47. Print.
"The National Canine Cancer Foundation." - Sebaceous and Modified Sebaceous Gland Tumors.
National Canine Cancer Foundation. Web. 02 June 2014.
"Sebaceoma - Skin." Sebaceoma - Skin. World Health Organization. Web. 03 June 2014.
"Sebaceous Gland Tumors." Sebaceous Gland Tumors. Mar Vista Animal Medical Center, 09 Nov. 2009.
Web. 02 June 2014.