Sebaceous glands are sebum-secreting components of pilosebaceous units present in the skin. Pathological conditions of sebaceous glands include – steatocystoma simplex and multiplex, sebaceous gland hyperplasia, sebaceoma, sebaceous adenoma, sebaceous carcinoma, nevussebaceus and folliculosebaceous cystic hamartoma. Additionally, sebaceous glands are secondarily involved in acne vulgaris, seborrheic dermatitis, as well as in androgenic alopecia. 

Steatocystoma multiplex – a benign congenital anomaly, presents as yellow cysts; the upper body is the usual site. While sebaceous gland hyperplasia is characterized by yellow, telangiectatic papules with a central dell, and can be treated with topical retinoids or surgical excision. Whereas, sebaceoma primarily occurs on the head and neck region—a skin-colored nodule that can be distinguished by immunohistochemistry. 

The preferred treatment for sebaceoma, sebaceous adenoma and sebaceous carcinoma is surgical excision, but not always for nevus sebaceus. On the other hand, folliculosebaceous cystic hamartoma is relatively rare, exhibiting both epithelial and mesenchymal components. Meanwhile, acne vulgaris manifests as papules of closed and open comedones, displaying hypercornification. Seborrheic dermatitis is characterized by sharply demarcated yellow or red patches or plaques; antifungal agents, corticosteroids, and combination antifungal/anti-inflammatory therapies are common treatment modalities.

Source: Dermatologic Therapy. 2021 Mar;34(2):e14862. doi: 10.1111/dth.14862.