Epidermal Cysts of the Breast in a Developing Community
Wilson IB Onuigbo*
Department of Pathology, Medical Foundation and Clinic, Nigeria
Submission: November 30, 2016; Published: January 20, 2017
*Corresponding author: January 20, 2017
*Corresponding author: Wilson IB Onuigbo, Department of Pathology, Medical Foundation and Clinic, 8 Nsukka Lane, Enugu 400001, Nigeria, Email: wilson.onuigbo@gmail.com
How to cite this article:Wilson I O. Epidermal Cysts of the Breast in a Developing Community. IInt J cell Sci & mol biol. 2017; 1(4): 555569. DOI:10.19080/IJCSMB.2017.01.555569
Abstract
Only a few cases of epidermal cysts of the breast have been reported in the literature. The lesion is characterized by a cyst containing keratinous matter and lined by squamous cells. Therefore, a few examples are presented from a developing community on account of the construction of a histopathology data pool that was hailed to be advantageous in epidemiological analysis. Three local cases were found in 2 females and one male between 22 and 60 years; the squamous lining may be partly lost; abscess may be formed with associated cellulitis of the adjoining fat, and foreign body giant cells may appear.
Keywords: Breast; Swelling; Cyst; Keratin; Inflammation
Introduction
The epidermal cyst is a benign lesion that forms commonly in parts of the body [1]. In the experience of the author among the Ibo/Igbo ethnic group [2], the vulva was the commonest site. This was attributed to the ancient practice of circumcision [3].In contrast, this was scarcely found in the circumcised male [4]. In particular, the chance of coming across the case of a German 52-year-old woman, whose breast excision was reported [5], led to the search of my histopathology data pool which was established in 1970. Three breast cases were found (Table 1).
discussion
The German case reported by Claudia and associates [5] restimulated my interest in this lesion. This was also aided by the vision of a Birmingham (UK) group which stressed that building a histopathology data pool expedites epidemiological analysis [6]. Although the epidermal cysts found in some communities led to much discomfort in modern times [7], my study of the local histopathology data pool has shown that the community is becoming aware of the health education message [8]. Other areas are worthy of study such as in ophthalmology [9]. Interestingly, the 2:1 ratio found above is the same as in an Indian series [9]. Due to the rarity in the breast, 3 cases only were reported from India [10]. Size may lead to difficulty in diagnosis as in the UK [11]. A clinical and radiological dilemma was resolved by Fine Needle Aspiration [12].
On their part, workers in Iran [13] and Italy [14] laid stress on the considerable numbers obtained through world-wide search of the English literature! In this group is the review published by Paliotta and partners [15]. Interestingly, this group affirmed that elliptical excision is the preferred treatment for this lesion when met in the breast.
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