# Recurrent ulcerative tubular apocrine adenoma of the eyelid mimicking eyelid malignancy: A case report and literature review

## TL;DR

A rare case of a benign eyelid tumor in a young woman is reported, highlighting its unusual recurrence and similarity to cancer.

## Contribution

A unique case of tubular apocrine adenoma with late recurrence in a younger patient is presented.

## Key findings

- Tubular apocrine adenoma of the eyelid is exceedingly rare and often mimics malignancy.
- The reported case shows recurrence after a longer period compared to previously documented cases.
- Surgical excision is an effective treatment for this benign tumor.

## Abstract

The eyelid is a common site for cutaneous tumors; however, tubular apocrine adenoma is a rare presentation. The clinical presentation is variable and surgical excision is effective with low risk for recurrence.

We report a 40-year-old female with recurrent tubular apocrine adenoma of eyelid mimicking eyelid malignancy. Diagnostic incisional biopsy demonstrated dermal benign tubular-like proliferations lined by bilayer of apocrine epithelium within a background of hyalinized stroma.

Isolated tubular apocrine adenoma of the eyelid is rare with individual cases being found in the literature. Previously reported recurring apocrine eyelid tumors were involving older patients than our case and the recurrence occurred within 2–3 years.

Our case is unique as the patient was younger and the recurrence occurred after a longer period. Our report provides insight into the clinical features, histopathologic characteristics and treatment of tubular apocrine adenoma of the eyelid.

•Tubular apocrine adenoma (TAA) is a benign skin adnexal neoplasm with apocrine differentiation.•Histopathologically, it shows proliferation of tubules with double layer of apocrine epithelium.•TAA of the eyelid is exceedingly rare, and recurrence was reported in only 2 patients in their sixties.•Our TAA case is unique because of her age, late recurrence, and suspicious presentation for malignancy.•TAA (even though is rare) should be included in the differential diagnosis of eyelid lesions.

Tubular apocrine adenoma (TAA) is a benign skin adnexal neoplasm with apocrine differentiation.

Histopathologically, it shows proliferation of tubules with double layer of apocrine epithelium.

TAA of the eyelid is exceedingly rare, and recurrence was reported in only 2 patients in their sixties.

Our TAA case is unique because of her age, late recurrence, and suspicious presentation for malignancy.

TAA (even though is rare) should be included in the differential diagnosis of eyelid lesions.