A Case of Invasive Ductal Carcinoma in the Right Nipple

Abstract

Apart from Paget's disease, breast cancer is believed to originate from the terminal ductal lobular unit, and rarely from the papilla. Here, we report a case of invasive ductal carcinoma confined to the nipple, diagnosed approximately four years after symptom onset. A 70-year-old woman who visited our hospital annually for regular breast examinations noticed a mass in the right nipple ; however, since no abnormalities were observed on mammography and ultrasonography, the patient continued her annual regular check-ups. Three years after symptoms onset, ultrasonography revealed a 7.8 × 6.3 mm hypoechoic mass within the right nipple. The following year, ultrasonography showed no change in the size of the mass in the right papillary region ; however, because of worsening mass tightness and pain, punch biopsy was performed. The pathological diagnosis was invasive ductal carcinoma. Right cylindrical segmental resection, including the nipple areola, was performed. Histopathological diagnosis was invasive ductal carcinoma confined to the right papilla. One and half years postoperatively, the patient survived without recurrence.