Montgomery Tubercles in the Male Areola: Histological Observations and a Brief About Past Investigators

There are conflicting statements in the literature about the existence of Montgomery tubercles in the male areola. We wished to determine whether the male breast contains Montgomery tubercles and to determine additional pathology, if any, in the male areola. Serial sections from areola of paraffin blocks from six retrospective and five prospective cases of male breast carcinoma were evaluated. Only hematoxylin-stained and eosin-stained sections were studied. There were definite Montgomery tubercles in two cases and putative Montgomery tubercles in two other cases, among the 11 cases (age range, 42-85 years) studied. Demodex mites (n = 8) and dermatophytes (n = 3) were noted in the areola. Toker cells were absent, Paget disease was present (n = 1), and Pagetoid dyskeratosis was present in 5 cases. We conclude that Montgomery tubercles are present in the male areola. Demodex and dermatophytes are common commensals in the male areola. Giovanni Morgagni, Johann Roederer, Johann Meckel the Younger, William Montagna, and A. Bernard Ackerman have made scientific contributions to Montgomery tubercles of females and in other areas of pathology.