Tumors of ceruminous glands

Light and electron microscopic features of a case of ceruminous adenocarcinoma are presented and compared to normal ceruminous glands. A survey of the literature disclosed 4 types of ceruminoma: adenoma, adenocarcinoma, adenoid‐cystic carcinoma, and mixed tumor. The pathogenesis and histologic features of each type are discussed. Because biologic activity varies with the histologic pattern, and because of the greater frequency of malignancy as compared to other cutaneous apocrine tumors, it is recommended that the generic term “ceruminoma” be retained for apocrine tumors arising in the external auditory canal.