Zengin HB, Tan PH, Liu R, Smoller BR. 'Eczematous' dermatitis of the nipple: clinical and histopathological differential diagnosis of Paget disease.
Pathology 2024;
56:300-312. [PMID:
38307774 DOI:
10.1016/j.pathol.2023.10.018]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
The nipple can be affected by many malignant and benign entities. A wide variety of diseases including Paget disease, atopic dermatitis and nipple candidiasis can cause eczema-like changes in the nipple. In cases of diagnostic uncertainty, tissue sampling may be indicated. A true eczematous lesion, such as atopic dermatitis, typically shows a spongiotic dermatitis pattern. Paget disease, on the other hand, presents with infiltration of the nipple epidermis by neoplastic cells. The presence of atypical cells scattered in the epidermis in a pagetoid pattern opens up a histopathological differential diagnosis encompassing squamous cell carcinoma in situ and malignant melanoma, among others. Immunohistochemistry is commonly used to render a diagnosis. The objective of this article is to discuss Paget disease and highlight relevant clinical and histopathological differential diagnoses.
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