Primary pure squamous cell carcinoma of the breast presenting as a breast abscess

Pure primary squamous cell carcinomas of the breast are uncommon tumours, with a reported incidence of 0.04–0.07% of all ductal carcinomas. 1 Behranwala K.A. Nasiri N. Abdullah N. et al. Squamous cell carcinoma of the breast: clinico-pathologic implications and outcome. Eur J Surg Oncol. 2003; 29: 386-389 Abstract Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (109) Google Scholar A review of the literature finds only nine reports of intracystic tumours that fulfil the diagnostic criteria of a squamous cell carcinoma. These criteria include the following: (1) a tumour origin that is independent of the overlying skin and nipple or of adnexal elements; (2) more than 90% of the tumour must be squamous; (3) there can be no other invasive neoplastic elements, ductal or mesenchymal, on thorough sampling; and (4) other sites of primary squamous cell carcinoma must be excluded. 1 Behranwala K.A. Nasiri N. Abdullah N. et al. Squamous cell carcinoma of the breast: clinico-pathologic implications and outcome. Eur J Surg Oncol. 2003; 29: 386-389 Abstract Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (109) Google Scholar