Clancy J Clark1, Debra Wechter. 1. Department of General Surgery, Virginia Mason Medical Center, 1100 9th Ave., Seattle, WA 98101, USA. Clark@vmmc.org
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Breast-associated morphea (BAM) can mimic benign and malignant inflammatory breast disorders. The aim of the current study was to document our experience with this rare sclerosing dermatologic disorder. METHOD: We conducted a retrospective study at a single institution of all patients who had pathological diagnosis of morphea between January 1995 and October 2007. RESULTS: We identified 15 patients with pathological evidence of morphea involving the breast. Two thirds of these patients were initially misdiagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer or breast infections. While 2 patients had previous exposure to external beam radiation, the remaining patients had no identifiable predisposing risk factors. BAM resulted in limited morbidity and did not result in significant disfiguration. Treatment included topical steroids, topical calcineurin inhibitor, and surgical excision. CONCLUSIONS: Our experience with BAM emphasizes the benefit of early tissue biopsy in patients with unexplained breast erythema to confirm a clinical diagnosis and thus guide subsequent therapeutic interventions. Copyright (c) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
BACKGROUND: Breast-associated morphea (BAM) can mimic benign and malignant inflammatory breast disorders. The aim of the current study was to document our experience with this rare sclerosing dermatologic disorder. METHOD: We conducted a retrospective study at a single institution of all patients who had pathological diagnosis of morphea between January 1995 and October 2007. RESULTS: We identified 15 patients with pathological evidence of morphea involving the breast. Two thirds of these patients were initially misdiagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer or breast infections. While 2 patients had previous exposure to external beam radiation, the remaining patients had no identifiable predisposing risk factors. BAM resulted in limited morbidity and did not result in significant disfiguration. Treatment included topical steroids, topical calcineurin inhibitor, and surgical excision. CONCLUSIONS: Our experience with BAM emphasizes the benefit of early tissue biopsy in patients with unexplained breast erythema to confirm a clinical diagnosis and thus guide subsequent therapeutic interventions. Copyright (c) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Authors: António Augusto Fernandes Massa; Armando Manuel Simões Baptista; António Manuel Ferreira da Silva Abreu Couceiro; Eduarda Macedo Osório Morais Ferreira Journal: Case Rep Dermatol Med Date: 2014-01-08