Bilateral Pale Cell Acanthoma of Mammary Glands in 13 Years Old Boy: Clinical Case

Background. Degos acanthoma is rare benign tumor. Typical signs of this disease are localization on the lower limbs, abdomen and anterior chest in middle-aged and elderly patients (50–70 years old). The only one clinical case of pale cell acanthoma with the atopic dermatitis, and eczema in the area of areoles in the 26 years old patient was described.

Clinical Case Description. The boy had redness and swelling in the area of the right mammary gland at the age of 11 years. This mass lesion was regarded as the eczema of the areola region due to burdened allergic history (atopic dermatitis), thus, antihistamine therapy was prescribed. Similar lesion has appeared in the area of the left areola 3 months later, the same therapy was used. Saniopurulent discharge was occasionally noted from the lesions. The child was consulted by dermatologist, endocrinologist and surgeon at the place of residence, and diagnosed with chronic purulent mastitis. Conservative therapy had no positive dynamics. Bilateral changes in areoles were revealed during hospitalization at the age of 13 years. There were red lesions with non-homogenous surface, yellow discharge, hyperemia around the right areola. The lesion sizes were 2.03.0 cm on the left and 3.03.5 cm on the right side. Biopsy has revealed pale cell acanthoma. Conservative treatment with oral and systemic glucocorticosteroids was prescribed, positive dynamics was obtained for 3 days after the therapy initiation.

Conclusion. The presence of eczema in the area of the nipple associated with sanioserous discharge requires the differential diagnosis with pale cell acanthoma. The conservative therapy (with glucocorticosteroids) efficacy for pale cell acanthoma is shown.

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