Onkologie. 2023:17(5):363-368 | DOI: 10.36290/xon.2023.068

Hidradenitis suppurativa: a diagnostic dilemma in the oncologist's office

Barbara Ivanková¹, Zuzana Baranová^{1, 2}, Tomáš Kampe¹, Janette Baloghová^{1, 2}

¹ Klinika dermatovenerológie, Univerzitná nemocnica L. Pasteura, Košice

² Klinika dermatovenerológie, LF Univerzity P. J. Šafárika, Košice

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, immune-mediated, inflammatory skin disease characterized by follicular inflammation and occlusion as well as the formation of painful nodules, abscesses, and suppurative fistulas, with a predilection for intertriginous areas. In women, the breast area and submammary space are often affected, with the intermammary area being a rare phenotype of presentation of the disease. HS has a significant impact on the quality of life of patients; therefore, timely establishment of the correct diagnosis and initiation of treatment are crucial to substantially improve the course and prognosis of the disease, as well as to prevent various complications. The manifestations of HS may represent a diagnostic dilemma in the outpatient practice. In the setting of chronic inflammatory skin manifestations, such as nodules or draining fistulas, cutaneous metastases from breast cancer and/or squamous cell carcinoma may be masked. The treatment of HS in patients with a history of oncological disease is a therapeutic challenge requiring interdisciplinary cooperation.

Keywords: hidradenitis suppurativa, dermatovenerology, oncology, interdisciplinary cooperation, early diagnosis, treatment.

Accepted: November 28, 2023; Published: November 29, 2023  Show citation