© Science and Education Publishing DOI: 10.12691/ajmcr-3-9-8 Extra-Ocular Sebaceous Carcinoma of the Skin: A Report of Five Cases and a Review of the Literature

Abstract Background: Extra ocular sebaceous carcinoma is a rare aggressive adnexal tumour. The diagnosis of this tumour is difficult due to the variety of its clinical and histopathological features. The prognosis is actually considered as aggressive as the ocular counterpart. Methods and results: We propose to discuss the clinical features, histopathological findings and aggressive potential of extra ocular sebaceous carcinoma. Therefore, five extra ocular sebaceous carcinoma cases, diagnosed at the Dermatology and Pathology departments of Farhat Hached Hospital, from January 1998 to December 2007, were reviewed. The diagnosis was based on a histopathological examination. Three of them developed locoregional and/or distant metastases. One patient died from metastatic disease. Surgery was the mainstay of treatment without any cutaneous recurrence after a mean follow-up of two years. Conclusions: Extra ocular sebaceous carcinoma has an unpredictable prognosis. It can be highly aggressive and cause death