[Mondor's diseases. Spectrum of the clinical and pathological features]

Mondor's disease is an uncommon disorders, occurring mostly in middle-aged women, and characterized by superficial thrombophlebitis classically involving the thoraco-epigastric veins and/or their confluents. Rare cases have been reported in atypical sites (upper arms, abdomen, groin and penis). The most common clinical features include lateral chest wall tension and pain, as well as the presence of a tender subcutaneous linear or winding cord-like structure, corresponding to the affected vessel, often with skin redness, edema or retraction. The etiology is unknown. Mondor's disease may be primary or secondary to local trauma, surgical procedures, bandaging, tight clothes and infections; it may also be associated with breast cancer. This condition is usually a benign and self-limited process, requiring only symptomatic treatment. Surgery is indicated when it is associated with malignancies or severe local pain and retraction. The clinical and pathological spectrum of this disease are reviewed.