Carcinoma erysipeloides of the breast in a patient with advanced invasive lobular breast cancer

Abstract

Carcinoma erysipeloides (CE) is an uncommon cutaneous metastasis of advanced breast carcinoma, showing distinctive features and presenting as a well-demarcated erythematous macule or plaque varying in size. It also may show a raised border and oedema. The differential diagnoses include erysipelas or cellulitis of the breast, or rarely—radiodermatitis. Most of the time CE is associated with advanced breast cancer and rarely with neoplastic tumours of the colon, pancreas, oesophagus, uterus, etc. We report a 58-year-old woman who presented at the Medical Institute of the Ministry of Internal Affairs with a 1-month history of not well-demarcated, erythematous, oedematous patches and plaques on the left and right breast, abdomen and both shins, associated with advanced invasive lobular carcinoma of the breast.