Research Article

CASE REPORT: SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA OF THE BREAST

1 Department of Radiotherapy, National Hospital, Abuja, Nigeria
* Corresponding author: agbamufatima@yahoo.com
Published: Jul, 2025
Pages: 356-360
Views: 233
Downloads: 130

Abstract

Introduction: Squamous cell carcinoma of the breast is a rare and aggressive type of cancer, accounting for less than 0.1% of all invasive breast cancers. This type of tumor is believed to arise from squamous metaplasia of ductal carcinoma cells or mammary duct epithelium. It is typically found in the skin and mucous membranes, rather than the usual glandular cells found in breast tissues.


Case Presentation: We report a case of a patient who presented with a palpable lump on her left breast. Surgical biopsy revealed a primary squamous carcinoma of the breast. Laboratory investigations done showed hypercalcemia. Further evaluation with bone scintigraphy and abdominopelvic CT scan and brain MRI showed metastases to the pelvic bone, brain and liver. She however passed away three weeks after while on admission.


Conclusion: Squamous cell carcinoma although rare, poses diagnostic challenges. Surgical treatment: paclitaxel and carboplatin chemotherapy regimens and adjuvant radiotherapy are effective, but it may be resistant to radiotherapy; and immunotherapy may prolong the survival of patients with primary squamous cell carcinoma of the breast.


References

  1. Bhosale SJ, Kshirsagar AY, Deshmukh SJ, et al. Squamous cell carcinoma of the breast. Am J Case Rep. 2013; 14:188-90.
  2. Darlington CD, Anitha GFS. Squamous cell carcinoma of the breast mimicking chronic breast abscess. Nigerian J Surg Off Publ Nigerian Surg Res Soc. 2019; 25:101–3. doi: 10.4103/njs.NJS_22_18
  3. Bhatt L, Fernando I. Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the breast: achieving long-term control with cisplatin-based chemotherapy. Clin Breast Cancer.2009;9:187–8. doi: 10.3816/CBC.2009. n.031
  4. Behranwala KA, Nasiri N, Abdullah N, Trott PA, Gui GP. Squamous cell carcinoma of the breast: clinico-pathologic implications and outcome. Eur Soc Surg Oncol Br Assoc Surg Oncol. 2003; 29:386–9. doi: 10.1053/ejso.2002.1422
  5. Gupta C, Malani AK, Weigand RT, Rangineni G. Pure primary squamous cell carcinoma of the breast: a rare presentation and clinicopathologic comparison with usual ductal carcinoma of the breast. Pathology Res Pract. 2006; 202:465–9. doi: 10.1016/j.prp.2006.01.006
  6. Menes T, Schachter J, Morgenstern S, Fenig E, Lurie H, Gutman H. Primary squamous cell carcinoma (SqCC) of the breast. Am J Clin Oncol. 2003; 26:571–3. doi: 10.1097/01.coc.0000045809.85995.3B
  7. Anne N, Sulger E, Pallapothu R. Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the breast: a case report and review of the literature. J Surg Case Rep. 2019: rjz182. doi: 10.1093/jscr/rjz182
  8. Van Deurzen CH, Lee AH, Gill MS, Menke-Pluijmers MB, Jager A, Ellis IO, et al. Metaplastic breast carcinoma: tumour histogenesis or dedifferentiation? J Pathol. 2011; 224:434–7. doi: 10.1002/path.2872
  9. Zhou YM, Chaudhry HE, Shah A, Andrews J. Breast squamous cell carcinoma following breast augmentation. Cureus. 2018;10: e3405. doi: 10.7759/cureus.3405
  10. Carbone S, Alvarez RL, Lamacchia A, Gil AA, Hernandez RM, Guerra JLL, et al. Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the breast: a rare case report. Rep Pract Oncol Radiother. 2012;17: 363–6.
  11. Gürsel B, Bayrak IK, Gokce SC, Yildiz L, Gürsel M, Yücel I. Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the breast: A case report and review of the literature. Turkish Journal of Cancer. 2007; 37:114–6.
  12. Aparicio I, Martinez A, Hernandez G, Hardisson D, De Santiago J. Squamous cell carcinoma of the breast. Eur J Obstet Gynecol. 2008; 137:222.
  13. Carbone S, R.L. Alvarez, A. Lamacchia, A.A. Gil, R.M. Hernandez, J.L.L. Guerra, et al. Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the breast: a rare case report Rep. Pract. Oncol. Radiother. 2012;17(6):363-366
  14. B. Belaabidia, S. Sellami, A. Hamdaoui, H. Abbassi. Squamous cell carcinoma of the breast review of the literature: illustrated by the report of a case J. Gynecol. Obstet. Biol. Reprod. Paris.2002(31)(1):34-39
  15. B. Hennessy, S. Krishnamurthy, S. Giordano, et al. Squamous cell carcinoma of the breast J. Clin. Oncol. 2005;23(31):7827-7835
  16. J. Liu, Y. Yu, J. Sun, S. He, X. Wang, J. Yin, et al. Clinicopathologic characteristics and prognosis of primary squamous cell carcinoma of the breast Cancer Res. Treat. 2015;149 (1):133-140
  17. K. Okada, K. Makihara, Y. Okada, E. Hayashi, S. Fukino, T. Fukata, et al. A case of primary squamous cell carcinoma of the breast with rapid progression Breast Cancer. 2000;7 (2):160-164
  18. K.A. Behranwala, N. Nasiri, N. Abdullah, P.A. Trott, G.P.H. Gui. Squamous cell carcinoma of the breast: clinico-pathologic implications and outcome Eur. J. Surg. Oncol. 2003;29(4):386-389
  19. P. Benoist, A. Mureau, Y. Joueidi, F. Arbion, A. Vilde, G. Body, et al. Management and prognosis of pure primary squamous cell carcinoma of the breast J. Gynecol. Obstet. Hum. Reprod. 2018;47 (7):275-280
  20. K. Tayeb, I. Saadi, M. Kharmash, K. Hadadi, E. El Ghazi, A. Mansouri, et al. Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the breast. Report of three cases Cancer Radiother J Soc Francaise Radioth Oncol.2002;6 (6):366-368.
How to Cite

Uba, F. I. (2025). CASE REPORT: SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA OF THE BREAST. Nigerian Journal of Oncology, 1(2), 356-360. https://doi.org/10.67579/njo.2025.p0oacz1j

F. I. Uba, "CASE REPORT: SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA OF THE BREAST," Nigerian Journal of Oncology, vol. 1, no. 2, pp. 356-360, July 2025. doi: 10.67579/njo.2025.p0oacz1j

Share this article:
Facebook X / Twitter LinkedIn