Sebaceous adenoma

Adenoma

An adenoma is a benign tumor of glandular origin. Adenomas can grow from many organs including the colon, adrenal glands, pituitary gland, thyroid, prostate, etc. Although these growths are benign, over time they may progress to become malignant, at which point they are called adenocarcinomas...

is a cutaneous condition characterized by a slow-growing tumour usually presenting as a pink, flesh-coloured, or yellow papule

Papule

A papule is a circumscribed, solid elevation of skin with no visible fluid, varying in size from a pinhead to 1 cm.With regard to the quote "...varying in size from a pinhead to 1cm," depending on which text is referenced, some authors state the cutoff between a papule and a plaque as 0.5cm,...

 or nodule.

Significance

Sebaceous adenomas, in isolation, are not significant; however, they may be associated with Muir-Torre syndrome

Muir-Torre syndrome

Muir–Torre syndrome is an inherited cancer syndrome that is thought to be a subtype of HNPCC. Individuals are prone to develop cancers of the colon, breast and genitourinary tract, and skin lesions, such as keratoacanthomas and sebaceous tumours. The genes affected are MLH1 & MSH2, and involved...

, a genetic condition that predisposes individuals to cancer

Cancer

Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...

. Thus, identification of a sebaceous adenoma may be a life saver.

It is not associated with tuberous sclerosis complex. The term adenoma sebaceum is a misnomer.

See also

• Sebaceous carcinoma
  Sebaceous carcinoma
  Sebaceous carcinoma is an uncommon and aggressive malignant cutaneous tumor. Most are typically about 10 mm in size at presentation. This neoplasm is thought to arise from sebaceous glands in the skin and, therefore, may originate anywhere in the body where these glands are found. Because the...
  
  
• Sebaceous hyperplasia
  Sebaceous hyperplasia
  Sebaceous hyperplasia is a disorder of the sebaceous glands in which they become enlarged.producing yellow, shiny bumps on the face. These bumps are a natural response to the maternal hormones of pregnancy and usually resolve on their own within a few weeks after delivery.Sebaceous glands are...
  
  
• Skin lesion
• List of cutaneous conditions