Ann Dermatol.  2011 Oct;23(Suppl 2):S201-S204. 10.5021/ad.2011.23.S2.S201.

Pigmented Basal Cell Carcinoma of the Nipple-Areola Complex in an Elderly Woman

• Jung HJ
• Jun JH
• Kim HY
• Lee SJ
• Kim DW
• Lee WJ
• Jung JH

• KMID: 2156789
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5021/ad.2011.23.S2.S201

Abstract

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC), which frequently occurs in sun-exposed areas of the head and neck region, is the most common cutaneous malignancy. The nipple-areola complex (NAC) is an uncommon site for BCC to develop. BCCs in this region display more aggressive behavior and a greater potential to spread than when found in other anatomical sites. This paper outlines the case of 67-year-old female with a solitary asymptomatic black plaque on the right areola. The lesion was initially recognized as Paget's disease of the nipple by a general surgeon. However, the histopathological features showed a tumor mass of basaloid cells, a peripheral palisading arrangement and scattered pigment granules. Finally, the patient was diagnosed with pigmented BCC of the NAC and was referred to the department of dermatology. Positron emission tomography-computed tomography revealed the absence of distant metastasis. A wide excision was done. The lesion resolved without recurrence or metastasis during 14 months of follow-up.

Keyword

Areola; Basal cell carcinoma; Nipple

MeSH Terms

Aged
Carcinoma, Basal Cell
Dermatology
Electrons
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Head
Humans
Neck
Neoplasm Metastasis
Nipples
Paget's Disease, Mammary
Recurrence

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 A well demarcated 3×3 cm-sized black plaque on the right breast.

• 

  Fig. 2 Focal hypermetabolic lesion (SUVmax 2.5) on the periareolar skin of the right breast (arrow). No abnormal 2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose uptake suspicious of lymph node involvement or distant metastasis was evident.

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  Fig. 3 Histopathologic examination shows a deep invasion of basaloid-tumor cells, a peripheral nuclear palisading arrangement, a peritumoral cleft and scattered pigment granules (H&E, A: ×40 and B: ×200).

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