Medical Care

Oral isotretinoin and acitretin and topical tretinoin have been used to treat syringomas, and the application of topical atropine has been used to relieve pruritus.^[25]

Application of topical adelmidrol, a semisynthetic cannabinoid, was beneficial in one case of giant vulvar syringoma; it may act via down-regulation of mast cell activation.^[26]

Surgical Care

The main reason for treatment is cosmetic; in particular, patients commonly seek treatment for syringomas of the eyelids and cheeks, which may be conspicuous. The goal of therapy for syringomas should be the destruction of the tumor with minimal scarring and no recurrence. However, because syringomas are embedded within the dermis, complete removal is often unsuccessful and recurrence is common.^[25]

No comparative studies and no long-term follow-up studies are available on which to base definitive recommendations for syringoma treatment. Possible treatments include the following:

Surgical excision with primary suturing
Scissor excision with secondary intention healing
Electrocautery^[27]
Electrodesiccation and curettage
Carbon dioxide laser using the pinhole method of application or Er:YAG laser ablation^{[28, 29, 30]}
Fractionated carbon dioxide laser ablation^[31]
Cryotherapy
Dermabrasion
Trichloroacetic acid

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Media Gallery

The multiple, small, yellow papules in the lower lid and upper part of the cheek correspond to syringomas. The blue cyst in the inner canthus is an eccrine hidrocystoma. Courtesy of Mark S. Brown, MD, University of South Alabama Medical Center.
Eruptive syringomas.
Histologic section of syringoma demonstrates numerous small ducts in a sclerotic stroma. Note the tadpole-shaped ducts.
Histologic section of clear-cell syringoma.

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Author

Christopher R Shea, MD Eugene J Van Scott Professor in Dermatology, Chief, Section of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, The Pritzker School of Medicine

Christopher R Shea, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Society of Dermatopathology, Arthur Purdy Stout Society, Association of Professors of Dermatology, Chicago Dermatological Society, Dermatology Foundation, Illinois Dermatological Society, International Society of Dermatopathology, Society for Investigative Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Michael J Wells, MD, FAAD Dermatologic/Mohs Surgeon, The Surgery Center at Plano Dermatology

Michael J Wells, MD, FAAD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, Texas Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Edward F Chan, MD Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine

Edward F Chan, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Society of Dermatopathology, Society for Investigative Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Dirk M Elston, MD Professor and Chairman, Department of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina College of Medicine

Dirk M Elston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Additional Contributors

Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH Professor and Head of Dermatology, Professor of Pathology, Professor of Pediatrics, Professor of Medicine, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School

Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, New York Academy of Medicine, Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, Sigma Xi

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Acknowledgements

Ibiayi Dagogo-Jack University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Marcelo G Horenstein, MD, Director of Dermatopathology, The Dermatology Group

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Syringoma Treatment & Management

Medical Care

Surgical Care

References

Tables

Contributor Information and Disclosures

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