De novo malignant eccrine spiradenoma with an interesting and unusual location.

BACKGROUND: Reports in the literature reveal that malignant eccrine spiradenomas (MES) are exceedingly rare, and represent aggressive tumors arising in long-standing benign eccrine spiradenomas (ES).
OBJECTIVE: We present a de novo case of MES of the nose, in contrast to reports in the literature of progression from long-standing benign lesions.
METHODS: Case report and brief review of the literature.
RESULTS: Our case was accepted as de novo MES because there was no evidence of ES on pathologic examination. It was treated by surgical excision with 1 cm tumor-free margins. No recurrence or complications were observed for 2 months, but long-term follow-up could not be performed because the patient died of adenocarcinoma of the colon.
CONCLUSION: Although previously reported lesions have arisen in long-standing benign ESs, usually on the trunk or extremities, this report shows that MES may occur as a primary malignant tumor and may occur in unusual locations such as the nose.