The management of hidradenitis suppurativa degenerating into squamous cell carcinoma: About three case reports

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory and suppurative disease of the apocrine sweat glands. Its transformation into squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is very rare. CASE PRESENTATION: We describe 3 cases of males aged 57, 58 and 55-years-old. The diagnoses were confirmed by pathology examination in all cases. Two of our patients underwent extended and complete surgery. The first two patients died during the year after the diagnosis was established, the third one is still alive with no recurrence after one year of surgery. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Hidradenitis suppurativa mostly concerns perianal location and it targets mainly male patients with a multifactorial development. Surgical treatment consists of large excision. The SCC is associated with a high mortality rate. CONCLUSION: Hidradenitis suppurativa needs early diagnosis and effective surgery. The transformation into squamous cell carcinoma is rare and and its management is challenging. Extended and complete excision is required with rigorous postoperative follow-up.