Track

Clinical Studies

Abstract

Sweat glands can be indirectly targeted during radiation treatment, leading to dryness of the skin. Clinical measurements such as the electrical conductance of the skin have recorded damage to sebaceous and sweat glands and their contents, but the histopathologic changes in the sweat gland apparatus after radiation treatment have not been well-documented in the literature. We reviewed skin excision specimens that underwent pre-surgical radiation, assessed the pathological findings, and compared the changes in sweat and sebaceous glands with excision specimens with no history of radiation history. In our study, upon exposure to radiation, sweat glands have been observed to proliferate in number; however, the overall size of the glands measure smaller than normal. Additionally, we observed several cytological changes within the cytoplasm of sweat/sebaceous glands. The lumens typically present in sweat glands are absent in those subjected to radiation or show different types of deformities not observed in normal skin. In cases with extensive radiation at a higher dose, the changes have been significant enough that they could be mistaken for atypical sweat gland proliferation. Considering the increased risk of carcinomas arising in irradiated skin, these changes can pose a diagnostic challenge. We hypothesize that these observed variations may lead to a decrease in normal functioning. These changes suggest that radiation can induce complex alterations in sweat gland morphology and function, which may impact the skin's normal physiological processes and potentially contribute to diagnostic challenges in dermatopathological settings.