Basal Cell Carcinoma of the Nipple-Areola Complex: a Case Report and Review of the Literature

Abstract

The development of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) on the nipple-areola complex (NAC) is extremely rare. However, BCCs of the NAC have been reported to behave more aggressively than those arising from other sites of the skin. In this paper, we report a case of BCC that occurred in this unusual site. The patient was an 81-year-old man with a 15×12 mm, brown-black nodule surrounding his right nipple. Histopathological examination of the resected specimen confirmed the diagnosis of the fibroepithelioma type of BCC. The patient has remained well without signs of recurrence for two years after surgery. We reviewed the literature on BCCs of the NAC published since 1893 and summarized 57 cases. Metastatic spread to axillary lymph nodes was reported only in one patient. BCC-related death has never been recorded. Based on our literature review, there is no evidence to support the hypothesis that BCCs of the NAC have an increased potential for malignancy and should be treated more aggressively than BCCs of other sites.