Hydradenoma is a medical term referring to a tumor of the sweat gland. The spelling of hydradenoma can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA): /haɪdrædɪˈnoʊmə/. The first syllable is pronounced "hi" as in "high," followed by "dra" as in "draw," and "de" as in "desk." The stress is on the fourth syllable, "no," which is pronounced "noh" as in "know." The final syllable, "ma," is pronounced "muh" as in "mud." Overall, the pronunciation of hydradenoma is complex, requiring careful attention to each syllable.
Hydradenoma, also known as hidradenoma, is a medical term used to describe a benign tumor that originates from sweat glands. It is derived from two main components: "hydra," which refers to sweat or sweat glands, and "adenoma," indicating a benign glandular tumor.
Hydradenomas typically develop in the areas of the body where sweat glands are present, such as the armpits, groin, or under the breasts. These tumors usually appear as small, painless, slow-growing nodules that can range in size from a few millimeters to a few centimeters.
Histologically, hydradenomas are characterized by the presence of glandular structures resembling sweat ducts or acini. They are typically encapsulated and composed of epithelial cells, which show differentiation towards sweat glandular structures.
Although hydradenomas are generally benign, they may occasionally cause discomfort due to their location or become cosmetically bothersome. Additionally, there is a rare variant known as "malignant hidradenoma" that can exhibit aggressive behavior and possess the potential to metastasize to other parts of the body.
The treatment for hydradenomas usually involves surgical excision, aiming to remove the tumor entirely or alleviate symptoms. Since these tumors are typically benign, they do not tend to recur after complete removal. However, regular follow-up visits with a healthcare professional may be recommended to monitor any changes or potential recurrence.
A small tumor arising from a sweat-gland.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "hydradenoma" is a combination of two roots: "hydra" and "adenoma".
1. "Hydra" is derived from the Greek word "hudra", which means "water serpent" or "water monster". It is a mythical creature associated with water. In scientific and medical terminology, "hydra" is often used to refer to water-related structures, like "hydro-" in "hydrology" (the study of water) or "hydroelectric" (relating to electricity generated from water).
2. "Adenoma" comes from the Greek word "aden", meaning "gland", and the suffix "-oma", which denotes a tumor or mass. So, "adenoma" refers to a benign (non-cancerous) tumor originating from glandular tissue.