Sebaceous adenoma
Sebaceous hyperplasia; Hyperplasia - sebaceous; Adenoma - sebaceous
A sebaceous adenoma is a noncancerous tumor of an oil-producing gland in the skin.
Sebaceous adenomas are small, yellow bumps containing sweat glands which are usually found on the face.
Each pore on the surface of the skin is an opening to a canal called a follicle. The follicle also contains a hair and an oil gland (sebaceous gland). The oil gland helps remove old skin cells, keeps the skin lubricated, and prevents drying of tissues.
Information
A sebaceous adenoma is a small bump. There is most often only one, and it is usually found on the face, scalp, belly, back, or chest. It occurs most often in people 60 years old or older. Rarely, it may be a sign of a serious internal disease.
If you have several small bumps of the sebaceous glands, this is called sebaceous hyperplasia. Such bumps are harmless in most cases, and often found on the face. They are not a sign of serious disease. They are more common with age. They may be treated if you do not like how they look.
References
Calonje E, Brenn T, Lazar AJ, Billings SD. Tumors and related lesions of the sebaceous glands. In: Calonje E, Brenn T, Lazar AJ, Billings SD, eds. McKee's Pathology of the Skin. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 32.
Dinulos JGH. Cutaneous manifestations of internal disease. In: Dinulos JGH, ed. Habif's Clinical Dermatology: A Color Guide in Diagnosis and Therapy. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 26.
James WD, Elston DM, Treat JR, Rosenbach MA, Neuhaus IM. Epidermal nevi, neoplasms, and cysts. In: James WD, Elston DM, Treat JR, Rosenbach MA, Neuhaus IM, eds. Andrews' Diseases of the Skin: Clinical Dermatology. 13th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 29.
Version Info
Last reviewed on: 10/20/2022
Reviewed by: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Professor, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
