Pilomatrixoma of the breast in a patient with type 1 myotonic dystrophy: successful surgical approach

Abstract

Malherbes calcifying epithelioma is an uncommon cutaneous tumour that originates from the matrix cells of hair follicle. It was initially described by Malherbe as a benign calcifying epithelioma. Several ultra-structural and electron-microscopic studies later demonstrated its origin from matrix cells and the term pilomatrixoma was introduced. The treatment of this tumour remains mainly surgical. Malignant cases with post-surgical recurrences have been described in literature and recurrences have been related to an incomplete surgical treatment or tumour aggressiveness. We present the case of 31-year-old female patient with pilomatrixoma of the breast, which was very similar to fibroadenoma, in terms of size and other clinical features. We successfully treated this patient surgically, and the aesthetic results were good, despite the proximity of the tumour to the areola-nipple complex. Fifteen months later, the patient is doing well, free of any clinical local recurrence.