Management of nipple adenomas during pregnancy: case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Abstract Background: Nipple Adenoma is a very uncommon, benign neoplasm that involves the nipple. Generally, complete surgical excision of the nipple is the main treatment, alternative therapeutic methods such as Mohs micrographic surgery, nipple splitting enucleation, and cryotherapy can be considered. Benign disorders of the breast generally occur in the breast of young women. Even if the management during pregnancy is usually conservative and surgical excision is reserved for very strong malignancy suspicion, benign lesions can cause the impossibility to breastfeed after giving birth when involving the nipple. Case Presentation: Here, we report a case of a 28-year-old woman with a 12-month history of progressive enlargement of the left nipple associated with erythema and intermittent serous-haematic discharge. The diagnostic assessment came out in favor of a nipple adenoma. After surgical treatment was recommended, the patient got pregnant. Surgical excision of nipple adenoma without complete resection of the nipple was performed after her first trimester of pregnancy under local anesthesia. A histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis. No recurrence occurred after 12 months. The patient gave birth, had no deficit in lactation, and successfully breastfed. Conclusions: Therefore, we consider that nipple adenoma enucleation might be a safe treatment even during pregnancy. Moreover, conservative local treatment of nipple adenomas can preserve the nipple aesthetically and functionally, thus allowing regular lactation and breastfeeding in young women.