A rare case of a digital papillary carcinoma of the hand with secondary conservative management

Rabeet Khan; Renu Irri; Effie Katsarma

doi:10.1093/jscr/rjz403

A rare case of a digital papillary carcinoma of the hand with secondary conservative management

J Surg Case Rep. 2020 Jan 20;2020(1):rjz403. doi: 10.1093/jscr/rjz403. eCollection 2020 Jan.

Authors

Rabeet Khan¹, Renu Irri², Effie Katsarma²

Affiliations

¹ Oxford Transplant Centre, Churchill Hospital, Oxford OX3 7LE, UK.
² Hand and Wrist Unit, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London SW10 9NH, UK.

Abstract

A digital papillary carcinoma (DPC) is a cancer of the sweat glands which develops on the digits of the hands and feet. With an incidence of 0.08 per 1 000 000 people/year, it is often initially misdiagnosed as a simple ganglion although it has a significant risk of metastasis. Histological analysis is beneficial in the formal diagnosis of DPCs. In this report, we present a rare case of DPC affecting the palm of the hand, rather than the more commonly reported DPC of the digits. We discuss the management strategy utilized in this case and the various prognostic considerations taken into account when deciding on an amputation versus local excision surgical approach. All cases of DPC require regular follow up imaging for early detection of recurrence or new metastases to maximize prognosis.

Keywords: digital papillary carcinoma; ganglion; metastasis; multiloculated cystic adnexal neoplasm; prognosis; tubuloalveolar ductal structures.

Publication types

Case Reports