Skin cancer or locally advanced mammary carcinoma: a discussion of cutaneous pathology on the male chest.

Background: Cutaneous pathology on the male chest has a broad differential diagnosis that includes both malignant and benign processes. Surgeons-including surgical oncologists, dermatologic surgeons, plastic surgeons, and thoracic surgeons-may be consulted for management or evaluation of these conditions at various stages of the diagnostic work-up. No single surgical specialty manages all cutaneous pathology that arises on the male chest.

Case report: To illustrate the challenges and utility of imaging for diagnosis in the male breast, a clinical example is provided of an 82-year-old male who presented with an ulcerated plaque on the chest with involvement of the nipple areolar complex. The patient underwent shave biopsy and was initially diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma; however, after resection he was found to have invasive mammary carcinoma.

Conclusion: Careful assessment, investigation, and understanding of pathology that may present on the male chest are key to making the correct diagnosis and avoiding treatment delays.