Incidence of epidermoid cyst of the breast: An analysis on clinico-pathological and radiological correlation

Introduction: Breast diseases are the major pathological lesion occurring among Tropical females with high co-morbidities. Cystic disease of breast is a broad entity often having many differentials clinically reaching out to the Pathologists. Epidermoid cysts of breast are condition occurring in cutaneous adnexae of extremities and its occurrence in breast is a rare entity. While trauma/therapeutic surgery including trucut biopsy is the major underlying cause, it is characterized by cystic lesion in dermis especially in peri-areolar region. Though radio-imaging serves to pick up cystic lesions, it downplays in categorizing the nature of the cyst. Cytology plays a major role in diagnosing the disease, appropriate clinico-pathological correlation with radio-imaging may improvise early pick up of this condition, thereby aiding in prompt treatment. Materials and Methods: The present study was conducted for a period of 4 years with specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. All the clinical details including history of surgery, trauma, site, socio-demography, size, radio diagnosis etc, were documented in a proforma. Patients are subjected to routine cytology procedure at clinician's request. Biopsy was done in specific indicated cases as therapeutic procedure and also for histological correlation the data are entered in tables and analysis was done aiming to frame clinico-pathological correlation with radio-imaging interpretation. Results and Observations: A total number of 10 cases were analysed in the study period. Left breast was predominantly affected and age incidence ranged between 3rd to 5th decade. While retro-areolar region was commonly involved, clinical diagnosis had many differentials. Cytology aspirates showed pultaceous to blood mixed material and corresponding Cytology showed keratinous cells with inflammation which were confirmed on histology on 7 available cases. Conclusion: Epidermoid cyst of breast is a rare condition and should be kept as one of the differential diagnosis by clinician and Pathologist while dealing with cystic breast diseases. Cytology procedure holds good in effective diagnosis of the condition and Clinico-Pathological correlation aids in improvising early diagnosis thereby alleviating patient's stress.