Cylindroma

Cylindromas are smooth, round benign tumors of eccrine sweat glands that are most often found on the scalp. They often occur in clusters and may be compared to a bunch of grapes. In rare cases, the tumors coalesce and form one large tumor that covers the entire scalp. This is called a “turban tumor.”

Hereditary cylindromas are often multiple and are inherited in an autosomal dominant manner.

---

Sample Cases

A 45 year old man presents with two small, round, 1 cm masses on his scalp. They have grown larger over the last 6 months. On exam, the masses are solid and move under the skin of the scalp. The overlying skin appears normal. Biopsy reveals lobules of epithelial cells in a mosaic pattern. The lobules have dark basal cells on the periphery and paler cells in the center. After excision, the tumors do not return.

---

A 65 year old man presents to the clinic with a small 0.5 cm mass on the scalp that has been growing over the last 6 months. On exam, it is firm, smooth, and round.

---

Resources & Attribution

• Figure 1
  • Dermatoscopic pattern of a cylindroma.
  • ©2014 Cohen et al
  • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3919843/
  • Image under CC attribution licence
• Header Image source:
  • Dermal cylindroma of the scalp.
  • © National Journal of Maxillofacial Surgery
  • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3513812/
  • Image under CC3.0 licence