LESION MIMICKING CARCINOMA OF THE BREAST: KERATOACANTHOMA

Abstract

Keratoacanthoma (KA) of the breast can be mistaken for breast carcinoma due to its rapidly growing and ulcerating nature. Here we present a case with solitary KA originating from breast skin which clinically resembled breast carcinoma. A 65-year-old woman admitted with a 30 × 30 mm exophytic lesion on the upper outer quadrant of her left breast with irregular margins, ulcerated center, and an unpleasant scent. Mammography revealed a soft and lobulated tissue mass with a superfi cial localization and a lucent halo which makes projections close to the papilla. However no distortion, retraction or spiculation was observed around this mass. Breast ultrasound revealed that the tumoral mass which caused a vegetative protuberation was limited with the skin and did not invade breast tissue. The lesion was considered breast carcinoma on clinical grounds and fusiform partial excisional biopsy was performed under local anesthesia. Histopathological exam revealed KA. The mass was then excised totally by excisional biopsy under local anesthesia. The patient did not develop recurrence for up to 15 months of follow-up period even without receiving any adjuvant chemotherapy.

Keywords

• breast
• cancer
• keratoacanthoma