article · World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews
Carcinoma en cuirasse is an uncommon form of skin metastasis associated with advanced breast cancer, characterised by diffuse, hardened skin lesions. A case study describes a 50-year-old woman treated for invasive ductal breast cancer who presented seven years later with lung metastases and a spreading, hardened, red plaque across the chest wall displaying an orange-peel texture. Microscopic analysis of a skin biopsy revealed malignant cells infiltrating the dermis and subcutaneous tissue within fibrous tissue. Further testing showed strong expression of GATA3, E-cadherin, and oestrogen receptors in approximately 90 per cent of tumour cells, confirming metastatic grade II invasive ductal carcinoma. Because these lesions frequently mimic benign skin conditions or late side effects of radiotherapy, tissue examination is critical to confirm disease recurrence and guide clinical management.
Skin changes in cancer survivors can easily be dismissed as benign rashes or lingering side effects from past radiation therapy. This research highlights how unusual skin hardening can be an outward sign of advanced cancer returning years after initial treatment. Recognising these manifestations ensures patients receive timely biopsies and avoid diagnostic delays, allowing clinicians to tailor treatment to late-stage disease progression.
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Carcinoma en cuirasse is a rare form of cutaneous metastasis associated with advanced breast cancer, characterized by diffuse sclerodermoid induration of the skin. We report the case of a 50-year-old woman treated for invasive ductal carcinoma of the left breast, who presented seven years later with pulmonary metastases and a progressively evolving erythematous, indurated plaque of the anterior chest wall, associated with infiltrated papules and a peau d'orange appearance. Skin biopsy showed infiltration of the dermis and hypodermis by malignant epithelial cells arranged in cords and trabeculae within a fibrous stroma. Immunohistochemistry confirmed metastatic invasive ductal carcinoma, with strong positivity for GATA3, E-cadherin, and estrogen receptors in approximately 90% of tumor cells, consistent with a grade II invasive ductal carcinoma (Elston and Ellis classification). Carcinoma en cuirasse is a rare but characteristic manifestation of breast cancer progression that frequently mimics benign dermatoses or post-radiotherapy changes, and its diagnosis relies on histopathological examination. This case underscores the importance of recognizing cutaneous metastases in patients with a history of breast cancer, since their presence signals advanced disease and carries significant implications for management.
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DOI: 10.30574/wjarr.2026.31.2.2048
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