Pigmented epidermotropic breast cancer metastases: A rare variant with a particularly unusual feature

J Cutan Pathol. 2022 Jan;49(1):99-102. doi: 10.1111/cup.14132. Epub 2021 Oct 10.

Abstract

Pigmented epidermotropic breast cancer metastases are a rarity, often clinically misdiagnosed as melanocytic lesions. Histopathologically, they show a dermal proliferation of neoplastic metastatic cells that extend to the overlying epidermis in a pattern identical to that seen in primary Paget disease (PD). Differential diagnosis should be established with entities with a similar presentation, such as pigmented mammary PD and malignant melanoma. Immunohistochemistry may be useful for this purpose. We present a new case of pigmented epidermotropic breast cancer metastases with a particularly unusual feature: the absence of dermal infiltration by neoplastic cells, thus considered as pure epidermotropic metastatic involvement.

Keywords: Paget disease; breast carcinoma; cutaneous metastases; malignant melanoma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Breast Neoplasms* / diagnosis
  • Breast Neoplasms* / metabolism
  • Breast Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Breast Neoplasms* / secondary
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Melanoma* / diagnosis
  • Melanoma* / metabolism
  • Melanoma* / pathology
  • Melanoma, Cutaneous Malignant
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Paget's Disease, Mammary / diagnosis
  • Paget's Disease, Mammary / metabolism
  • Paget's Disease, Mammary / pathology
  • Skin Neoplasms* / diagnosis
  • Skin Neoplasms* / metabolism
  • Skin Neoplasms* / pathology