Cutaneous Metastasis from an Asymptomatic Breast Cancer Masquerading as an Infected Sebaceous Cyst

Abstract

Skin is not a preferred target organ for cancer metastasis, nevertheless involvement of skin by metastatic deposits is a poor prognostic sign. It usually results from lymphatic embolization, hematogenous or contiguous spread and also by iatrogenic implantation of malignant cells following surgical procedures. Breast carcinoma is the second most common cancer in women and the most common tumor leading to the appearance of skin metastasis. Cutaneous metastasis from breast carcinoma has variety of clinicopathological features which usually create a dilemma for primary care clinicians as well as dermatologists. Therefore, a high index of suspicion along with detailed history, proper clinical examination and cytological or histopathological confirmation is required to make its definite diagnosis and to improve the outcome of such patients. We describe a case of a 50-year-old Indian woman, who presented with a solitary nodular lesion on the anterior chest wall which was initially clinically diagnosed as an infected sebaceous cyst but later on turned out to be a case of cutaneous metastasis from an asymptomatic and neglected left breast carcinoma.

Benign chondroid syringoma of foot: a clinical dilemma

“…Ancillary tests like immunocytochemistry, cell block formation, liquid based cytology followed by histopathological examination and IHC have also broadened the utilization of FNAC for the definite diagnosis of many tumors including those arising from skin adnexa. [13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25] In chondroid syringoma, the fine needle aspirate is usually thick and has mucoid like consistency. A cytological criteria has also been documented for its definitive diagnosis which comprises of a prominent cellular component of epithelial and myoepithelial cells embedded in a fibrillary metachromatic chondromyxoid background.…”

Pleomorphic adenoma of the buccal mucosa: a rare entity

“…Ancillary tests like immunocytochemistry, cell block formation, liquid based cytology followed by histopathological examination and immunohistochemistry have also broadened the utilization of FNAC for the definite diagnosis of many tumors including those arising from salivary glands. [13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23] Nevertheless, the histopathological examination of tissue obtained by surgical excision of the whole tumor is essential for the final diagnosis of pleomorphic adenoma of the buccal mucosa. The gross specimen is usually an encapsulated, solitary, well-defined, ovoid or round mass.…”

Characteristics of primary cutaneous metastasis in Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Dr. Hasan Sadikin General Hospital Bandung, Indonesia, in ten years

“…2,3 Metastasis is one of the characteristics of a life-threatening malignant tumor, and is an indication of a systemic disease causing a decrease in life expectancy. 2,4 CM is considered a rare condition with a prevalence of around 0.7-10.4% of all patients with malignancy and only about 2% of all skin tumors. 2,4,5 In a meta-analysis by Krathen et al in 2003, the incidence of CM is approximately 5.3 %, with breast carcinoma as the most primary malignancy.…”

“…2,4 CM is considered a rare condition with a prevalence of around 0.7-10.4% of all patients with malignancy and only about 2% of all skin tumors. 2,4,5 In a meta-analysis by Krathen et al in 2003, the incidence of CM is approximately 5.3 %, with breast carcinoma as the most primary malignancy. 6 CM can be diagnosed as an early manifestation of a yet undetected internal organ malignancy or an early marker of cancer spread or a recurrence of a diagnosed malignancy.…”

“…6 CM can be diagnosed as an early manifestation of a yet undetected internal organ malignancy or an early marker of cancer spread or a recurrence of a diagnosed malignancy. [3][4][5]7,8 The skin is not the main target organ for metastasis, so in general, when metastases have occurred to the skin, other organs have been involved, indicating a poor prognosis. 4,5 The clinical manifestations of CM are very diverse, ranging from macules, papules, plaques, nodules, tumors, and ulcers, or can even resemble other benign skin lesions.…”