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Extensive squamous metaplasia in gynecomastia.
Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine
|October 1, 1986
Summary
Squamous metaplasia, a change in breast duct cells, is common in gynecomastia but usually minor. An unusual case showed extensive changes without inflammation or neoplasm.
Area of Science:
- Pathology
- Oncology
Background:
- Gynecomastia is a common clinical finding in men.
- Squamous metaplasia involves the transformation of ductal epithelium into squamous cells.
Observation:
- A case of gynecomastia presented with extensive squamous metaplasia.
- Numerous ducts exhibited papillary excrescences of keratinizing squamous cells and dyskeratosis.
Findings:
- Squamous metaplasia was found in 6 of 40 gynecomastia cases (15%) over four years.
- While typically focal and limited, this case showed florid, extensive metaplasia.
- No associated inflammation or neoplasm was identified in the extensive metaplasia.
Implications:
- Squamous metaplasia is a more frequent finding in gynecomastia than previously recognized.
- Extensive squamous metaplasia can occur in gynecomastia without malignancy.
- This highlights the importance of careful histopathological evaluation of gynecomastia cases.