Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Epidermal cyst of the breast mimicking malignancy: clinical, radiological, and histological correlation

  • Case Report
  • Published:
Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background: Epidermal cyst of the breast is a rare benign intramammary lesion; however, a common finding in other parts of the body and most often located in the scalp, back, and neck. Only a few cases of epidermal cysts of the breast have been reported in literature. Case report: The patient presented with a small movable left breast lump. Mammography and ultrasonography did not show features of a benign lesion. Ultrasound-guided core biopsy was undertaken. Histology showed an epidermal cyst. The patient returned with an inflammation at the puncture site and a small abscess seen on ultrasound. The abscess was removed surgically. Conclusion: Mammographic and sonographic features of an epidermal cyst may mimick a malignant lesion. Biopsy can result in complications, such as inflammation. In addition, an association between epidermal cyst and squamous carcinoma has been reported. Therefore, it is recommended that these lesions are resected.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

References

  1. Kowand LM, Verhulst LA, Copeland CM, Bose B (1984) Epidermal cyst of the breast. Can Med Assoc J 131:217–219

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Chatterjee PK, Roy SN (1979) Large epidermal cyst of breast simulating malignant growth. Br Med J 1:167–168

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Motoyama T, Watanabe H (1996) Extemely well differentiated squamous cell carcinoma of the breast. Report of a case with a comparative study of an epidermal cyst. Acta Cytol 40:729–733

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Morris PC, Cawson JN, Balasubramaniam GS (1999) Epidermal cyst of the breast: detection in a screening programme. Autralas Radiol 43:12–15

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Fajardo LL, Bessen SC (1993) Epidermal inclusion cyst after reduction mammoplasty. Radiology 186:103–106

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Celik V, Unal E, Aydogan F et al (2004) Epidermal inclusion cyst of the breast: clinical, radiologic, and pathologic correlation. Breast J 10:57

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Menville JG (1936) Simple dermoid cysts of the breast. Ann Surg 103:49–56

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Hasleton PS, Misch KA, Vasudev KS, George D (1978) Squamous carcinoma of the brest. J Clin Pathol 31:116–124

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, University of Luebeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23538, Luebeck, Germany

    Claudia U. Bergmann-Koester, Isabel Rudolf, Joerg Gellissen & Beate M. Stoeckelhuber

  2. Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Luebeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23538, Luebeck, Germany

    Hans C. Kolberg

  3. Department of Pathology, University of Luebeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23538, Luebeck, Germany

    Stefan Krueger

Authors
  1. Claudia U. Bergmann-Koester
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Hans C. Kolberg
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Isabel Rudolf
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Stefan Krueger
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Joerg Gellissen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Beate M. Stoeckelhuber
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Beate M. Stoeckelhuber.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Bergmann-Koester, C.U., Kolberg, H.C., Rudolf, I. et al. Epidermal cyst of the breast mimicking malignancy: clinical, radiological, and histological correlation. Arch Gynecol Obstet 273, 312–314 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-005-0019-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-005-0019-9

Keywords

Search

Navigation