Vulval squamous cell carcinoma arising in chronic hidradenitis suppurativa.

Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic inflammatory disease of the sweat glands and hair follicles which is rarely associated with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). A case of vulval SCC complicating hidradenitis suppurativa is presented. In addition to being the first case to report the association of vulval SCC and hidradenitis suppurativa in the English language literature, it also illustrates the difficulty inherent in distinguishing between invasive SCC and pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia on histological examination. The success of wide local excision of the vulval lesion and primary closure without recourse to skin grafts, rotational flaps, or healing by secondary intention is demonstrated. Copyright 1999 Academic Press.