Case Report: Carcinoma en Cuirasse in a Middle-Aged Woman Mimicking Postirradiation Morphea

Front Oncol. 2021 Oct 21:11:747123. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2021.747123. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

Breast carcinoma en cuirasse (CeC) is an extremely rare form of cutaneous metastases of breast cancer, characterized by diffuse sclerodermoid induration of the skin. It may be difficult to distinguish CeC from some skin diseases, including postirradiation morphea, inflammatory breast cancer, radiation dermatitis, and other cutaneous metastases, but it can be easily discerned by histology. Because of the small number of documented cases, the treatment consensus has not been clearly defined. Here, we show a 45-year-old woman with grade III infiltrating ductal carcinoma manifesting as CeC to the chest wall. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential to prevent the catastrophic natural progression of this rare malignancy.

Keywords: breast cancer; carcinoma en cuirasse; cutaneous metastases; postirradiation morphea; radiation dermatitis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports