Journal of Medicine in the Tropics

CASE REPORT
Year
: 2021  |  Volume : 23  |  Issue : 1  |  Page : 88--91

Cutaneous nodules as a first presentation in triple-negative breast cancer


Sefiya Olarinoye-Akorede1, Desiree Jimeta2, Gboyega Musbau Olarinoye3, Sunday Adewuyi2 
1 Radiology Department, Ahmadu Bello University and Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Nigeria
2 Department of Oncology, Ahmadu Bello University and Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Nigeria
3 Dermatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University College Hospital, Ibadan Oyo State, Nigeria

Correspondence Address:
Dr. Sefiya Olarinoye-Akorede
Radiology Department, Ahmadu Bello University and Teaching Hospital, Zaria
Nigeria

Out of all skin neoplasms, metastasis accounts for only about 2%, and breast cancer is the second commonest malignancy to metastasize to the skin after malignant melanoma. Although triple-negative breast cancer patients tend to have metastatic disease at presentation, cutaneous metastasis is unusual. In this report, we present a 47-year-old asymptomatic woman whose attention was drawn by her hairdresser to a scalp swelling 2 months prior to presentation. Similar swellings were noticed on the back, arms, and thighs. One month later, a left breast lump was noticed during a clinical breast examination by a physician. She was in good physical condition but had generalized cutaneous nodules. Further investigations revealed canon ball metastasis to the lungs, and histopathology with immunohistochemistry confirmed triple-negative invasive ductal carcinoma with cutaneous metastasis. Skin involvement in breast cancer signifies advanced disease. Therefore, high index of suspicion is necessary so as not to overlook early sinister nodules as benign dermatological condition.


How to cite this article:
Olarinoye-Akorede S, Jimeta D, Olarinoye GM, Adewuyi S. Cutaneous nodules as a first presentation in triple-negative breast cancer.J Med Trop 2021;23:88-91


How to cite this URL:
Olarinoye-Akorede S, Jimeta D, Olarinoye GM, Adewuyi S. Cutaneous nodules as a first presentation in triple-negative breast cancer. J Med Trop [serial online] 2021 [cited 2023 Mar 24 ];23:88-91
Available from: https://www.jmedtropics.org/article.asp?issn=2276-7096;year=2021;volume=23;issue=1;spage=88;epage=91;aulast=Olarinoye-Akorede;type=0