AbstractBackground: Cutaneous adnexal tumor is a collective term for tumors arising from various adnexal units of the skin. These tumors share many common features even though they differentiate along one line. Adnexal tumors are relatively uncommon and they pose a diagnostic difficulty due to morphological overlap. They are classified according to appendageal differentiation. These tumors have to be differentiated from other primary cutaneous neoplasm and cutaneous metastasis. Adnexal tumors are significant because some can give a clue to the association of internal visceral malignancy. Methods: All adnexal tumours showing sweat gland differentiation diagnosed over the period of 5 years was studied. The Haematoxylin and Eosin stained slides were analysed for patterns to differentiate each entity from other cutaneous tumours. Result: Thirty adnexal tumours were diagnosed over a period of 5 years. Clinical presentations varied from discrete swellings and nodules to ulcerated masses. Most of the lesions were distributed in the head, neck and extremities. Histologically 26 cases were benign and 4 cases were malignant. Majority of the tumours were encountered in females (18 out of 30). Commonest tumour encountered was eccrine poroma followed by eccrine spiradenoma and Syringocystadenoma papilleferum. Malignant tumours encountered were Porocarcinoma and hidradenocarcinoma. Conclusion: Cutaneous adnexal tumors are complex due to their diverse origin and varied histological appearance. Sweat gland tumors are the commonest tumors encountered. Many of these entities have morphological overlap. Although majorities of adnexal tumors are benign, malignant counterparts are also rarely encountered, causing further diagnostic difficulties. Hence thorough histopathological examination is required for final diagnosis.