Basal Cell Carcinomas of the Areola‐Nipple Complex: Case Reports and Review of the Literature

Abstract

Two white men 57 and 39 years old, and a 47-year-old white woman were seen with slowly developing papulo-nodular lesions of the areola-nipple complex. None of the patients presented with regional lymphadenopathy, history of trauma, or relevant sun-exposure. After excison of the mass, the histologic diagnosis of basal cell carcinoma was made. At two years of follow-up, no recurrence was evident. The low incidence of basal cell carcinoma in this particular site allows us to consider the areola-nipple complex location as unusual. Moreover, literature reports do not suggest that these BCCs have an increased potential for malignancy. The treatment options depend on the extension of the tumor and on the possible involvement of the areola-nipple complex and mammary tissue.

Secondary Intention Healing following Mohs Micrographic Surgery for Basal Cell Carcinoma of the Nipple and Areola*

“…Fourteen of the reported cases gave further details of histology and, of these, three were infiltrating BCCs (4-6), three had invasion of the lactiferous ducts (7-9), four were superficial (10-13) and three were nodular (9,12).…”

Basal Cell Carcinoma of the Nipple in a Male Patient: A Particular Case Report

“…Pigmented BCC type is reported in three cases (5,8). The estimated incidence of metastasis for BCC is less than 0.025%.…”

An erythematous nodule on the nipple: An unusual presentation of primary syphilis

“…The most frequent differential diagnoses include Paget disease of the breast, nipple eczema and erosive adenomatosis of the nipple . Other differential diagnoses could include basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, leishmaniasis or cutaneous lymphoid hyperplasia …”

“…5 The most frequent differential diagnoses include Paget disease of the breast 13 , nipple eczema 14 and erosive adenomatosis of the nipple. 15 Other differential diagnoses could include basal cell carcinoma, 16 squamous cell carcinoma, 17 leishmaniasis 18 or cutaneous lymphoid hyperplasia. 19 Our initial clinical suspicion was Paget disease, but the biopsy did not show the typical Paget cells in the epidermis.…”