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. 2017:36:94-97.
doi: 10.1016/j.ijscr.2017.05.020. Epub 2017 May 17.

A common cancer in an uncommon location: A case report of squamous cell carcinoma of the nipple

Kelly Dye  1 , Melissa Saucedo  2 , Divya Raju  3 , Nail Aydin  4
Affiliations

A common cancer in an uncommon location: A case report of squamous cell carcinoma of the nipple

Kelly Dye et al. Int J Surg Case Rep. 2017.

Abstract

Introduction: Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is common however SCC is rarely seen on the nipple, with only ten cases of SCC of the nipple in literature (American Cancer Society, 2015; Scotto et al., 1983; Pendse and O'Connor, 2015; Loveland-Jones et al., 2010; Brookes et al., 2005; Sofos et al., 2013; King and Kremer, 2012; Venkataseshan et al., 1994; Hosaka et al., 2011) [1-9].

Case: An 80 year old female presenting with a chief complaint of an abnormal lesion on the medial portion of her right nipple areola complex. A biopsy showed well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. She had an extensive history of prolonged sun exposure predisposing her to cutaneous SCC however none to the breast region. Her mammogram was negative for any invasive disease so a wide local excision was performed with no complications.

Discussion: Due to the rarity of SCC of the breast or nipple, a biopsy is necessary to rule out other more common types of malignancies on the nipple that present with a similar physical appearance. We then examined the many different risk factors for SCC and the different methods for treating SCC whether it is cutaneous or of the nipple or breast. We also discussed the treatment of Paget's disease of the breast (PDB) as SCC of the nipple or breast can be mistaken for PDB.

Conclusion: The cases of SCC of the Nipple demonstrate the importance of recognizing changes of the skin even in locations not typically associated with SCC (American Cancer Society, 2015; Scotto et al., 1983; Pendse and O'Connor, 2015; Loveland-Jones et al., 2010; Brookes et al., 2005; Sofos et al., 2013; King and Kremer, 2012; Venkataseshan et al., 1994; Hosaka et al., 2011) [1-9]. We concluded with a future suggestion of investigating possible risk factors specific to SCC of the breast or nipple.

Keywords: Case report; Management; Nipple areola complex; Squamous cell carcinoma.

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Figures

Picture 1
Picture 1
Squamous cell carcinoma lesion of the nipple post initial biopsy and prior to surgery.
Diagram 1
Diagram 1
Patient timeline.
Picture 2
Picture 2
Surface lesion with underlying tissue after surgical removal.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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    1. Scotto J., Fears T.R., Fraumeni J.F., Jr. US Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health; Bethesda, MD: 1983. Incidence of Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer in the United States. NIH Pub. No. 83–2433.
    1. Pendse A.A., O’Connor S.M. Primary invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the nipple. Case Rep. Pathol. 2015;2015:327487. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Loveland-Jones C.E., Wang F., Bankhead R.R., Huang Y., Reilly K.J. Squamous cell carcinoma of the nipple following radiation therapy for ductal carcinoma in situ: a case report. J. Med. Case Rep. 2010;4:186. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Brookes P.T., Jhawar S., Hinton C.P., Murdoch S., Usman T. Bowen’s disease of the nipple—a new method of treatment. Breast. 2005;14(1):65–67. - PubMed