A case of basal cell carcinoma of the nipple and areola with intraductal spread

Abstract

We report an 82-year-old Japanese woman with basal cell carcinoma of the left nipple and areola extending into the lactiferous duct. The patient developed a small papular lesion of the left areola about 1 year before admission. The lesion, which had slowly progressed to involve the nipple, had become symptomatic showing weeping and bleeding. Mammography revealed microcalcification in the nipple. Although Paget's disease was suspected from these clinical features, histologically basal cell carcinoma was diagnosed. There was no axillary lymphadenopathy, and no evidence of distant metastasis. The lesion of the nipple and areola was resected with a 2 cm free margin along with the underlying mammary tissue. The patient has remained well without signs of recurrence for 2 years after surgery. We reviewed cases of basal cell carcinoma of the nipple or areola and discuss considerations and problems of this rare tumor.