Syringoma

Definition

Definition of Syringoma
Syringomas are harmless sweat duct tumors, typically found clustered on eyelids, although they may also be found in the armpits, umbilicus, or vulva. They are skin-colored or yellowish firm rounded bumps, 1-3 mm in diameter, and may be confused with xanthelasma.

Symptoms

Symptoms of Syringoma
The most common locations for syringomas include:

1. Upper cheeks
2. Lower eyelids
3. Armpits
4. Chest
5. Abdomen
6. Forehead
7. Genitalia (penis or vulva)

Causes

Causes of Syringoma
The causes of this condition have not been fully understood. However, some people are found to be more susceptible to this disease than others. Based on this susceptibility, the disease is supposed to be associated with:

1. Over-productive Sweat Glands: People who sweat a lot and have highly active sweat glands are found to suffer more from this condition.
2. Adolescence: As previously mentioned, the disorder is seen to affect adolescents and preadolescents more than individuals of other age group. Sweat and hormone glands are highly active during adolescence, which is supposed to be a causative factor for this syndrome.
3. Underlying Diseases: Individuals with underlying conditions, such as Down syndrome, Marfan syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome or Diabetes mellitus are also at risk from this disorder. Around 18% patients of Down syndrome are found to suffer from Syringomas. Individuals suffering from Diabetes Mellitus are susceptible to a form of this condition called “Clear Cell Syringoma”.
4. Race: People of Asian or African American origins are found to be more susceptible to this disease than those of other ethnic groups.
5. Heredity: In some cases, the condition is also believed to be genetically acquired. However, not all cases of the disease are hereditary.
6. Sex: The condition is found to have a sexual predilection as girls are likelier to have these hickeys than boys.
7. Skin Tone: The color of skin can also be a causative factor as individuals with a darker skin tone are found to suffer from a variant of this condition, known as Eruptive Syringoma.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of Syringoma
The diagnosis of these growths usually begins with a simple physical examination. Doctors also ask patients about the time when the lesion first occurred and whether they have experienced any painful symptoms or not. In some cases, doctors may consider taking a sample of the growth for biopsy. Biopsy of lesion helps a pathologist examine certain cells from the growth to check whether it is a Syringoma lesion or something else. Such a biopsy can be quickly performed in the office of a doctor.

Treatment

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

The procedure involves:

• Numbing the skin with an injectable anesthetic.
• 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.
• Having the skin sample examined under the microscope by a specially trained physician (dermatopathologist).

Prognosis

Prognosis of Syringoma
When treated well, these nodules are completely destroyed and cause little or no scarring. Possibility of recurrence is also remote in such cases.

Prevention

Prevention of Syringoma
The causes of this disease are not fully understood. Therefore, no definite preventive measures can be adopted. Prevention for this condition is mostly general. This problem is impossible to be avoided in most cases, especially in individuals who inherit it from their family. However, certain general preventive measures can be followed. These include:

1. Maintaining appropriate levels of glucose in the bloodstream
2. Maintaining blood pressure

Following a proper diet

1. Avoiding very salty foods
2. Avoiding foods rich in saturated fats
3. Cutting down alcohol intake to a minimum
4. Complete avoidance of harmful drugs

Following proper skin hygiene

1. Taking frequent baths
2. Wearing loose clothes that allow air-drying of body sweat