Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Case Reports
. 2024 May 21:12:2050313X241255233.
doi: 10.1177/2050313X241255233. eCollection 2024.

Basal cell carcinomas of the areola-nipple complex: Case report and review of the literature

Amal Mouadin  1 , Laila Tahiri El Ousrouti  1 , Sara Boukansa  2 , Nawal Hammas  1   2 , Laila Chbani  1   2
Affiliations
Case Reports

Basal cell carcinomas of the areola-nipple complex: Case report and review of the literature

Amal Mouadin et al. SAGE Open Med Case Rep. .

Abstract

Basal cell carcinoma of the areola-nipple complex poses diagnostic and therapeutic challenges due to its rarity and unique anatomical location. This subtype of basal cell carcinoma necessitates meticulous management to address potential recurrence and metastasis. Surgical excision with clear margins remains the cornerstone treatment for basal cell carcinoma of the areola-nipple complex, while alternative modalities such as radiation therapy, Mohs surgery, and systemic therapies may be considered in specific cases. However, optimal management strategies remain contentious, with varying opinions on the necessity of aggressive surgical intervention to minimize recurrence and metastasis risks. Additionally, the absence of standardized diagnostic criteria and treatment guidelines complicates clinical decision-making. Herein, we present a rare case of basal cell carcinoma of the areola-nipple complex in a 47-year-old woman with a notable medical history of hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and untreated psychosis, alongside a family history of breast cancer in her aunt. The patient exhibited a non-regressing ulceration on the right areolar region of the breast, persisting for approximately 10 years and progressively extending over time. Following surgical excision, a favorable post-therapeutic course was observed during follow-up. This case underscores the diagnostic challenges and nuanced management considerations inherent in basal cell carcinoma of the areola-nipple complex, underscoring the imperative for tailored treatment approaches.

Keywords: Basal cell carcinoma; areola-nipple complex; breast; skin cancer.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
The histological examination after H&E staining reveals: (a) a tumor proliferation arranged in trabeculae and nests, (b) a tumor proliferation arranged in nests and cords of basophilic cells, forming peripheral palisades. Peripheral retraction clefts are also observed.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
The immunohistochemical examination reveals a strong and diffuse expression of GATA3 (a), CK5/6 (b), and P63 (c).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Similar articles

See all similar articles

References

    1. Gandhi SA, Kampp J. Skin cancer epidemiology, detection, and management. Med Clin North Am 2015; 99(6): 1323–1335. - PubMed
    1. Huang CW, Pan CK, Shih TF, et al.. Basal cell carcinoma of the nipple-areola complex: a case report. Kaohsiung J Med Sci 2005; 21(10): 480–483. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Chun KA, Cohen PR. Basal cell carcinoma of the Nipple-Areola complex: a comprehensive review of the world literature. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb) 2016; 6(3): 379. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Oram Y, Demirkesen C, Akkaya AD, et al.. Basal cell carcinoma of the nipple: an uncommon but ever-increasing location. Case Rep Dermatol Med 2011; 2011: 1–3. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Kalyani R, Vani BR, Srinivas MV, et al.. Pigmented basal cell carcinoma of Nipple and Areola in a male breast—A case report with review of literature. Int J Biomed Sci 2014; 10(1): 69. - PMC - PubMed

Publication types

LinkOut - more resources