Introduction

Soft fibroma (skin tags) is a slow-growing benign tumor of mesodermal origin most frequently arising in skin folds in locations like the neck, axilla, perineum, eyelids and chest wall; typically occurring in women of reproductive age.^[1] Acrochordons are skin tags which are soft, papules with a stalk. A rare form of skin tag is fibroepithelial polyp, which, in contrast, is a bigger lesion with long, narrow stalk, and may appear pedunculated. ^[2] The known causes may be congenital lesions, chronic irritation, allergies and trauma.

Case Report

A 35 year old woman visited surgery OPD with a 5 year history of a painless swelling on nipple of right breast. The lesion progressively increased in size. There was no history of breast lump or any nipple discharge. She has two children with the last pregnancy 9 years back and normal menstrual history.

On clinical examination, the mass was 1.5cm X 1 cm polyp attached to the nipple of the right breast. The polyp was bag-like and non-ulcerative with firm in consistency. No acanthosis nigricans or epidermal nevus was found on the surrounding skin. The bilateral nipple areolar complex and the breast were normal without any lump. There was no axillary lymphadenopathy. Clinically, it was diagnosed as a benign polyp.([Figure 1])

The patient was advised FNAC. The FNAC procedure was difficult to perform as the needle could not be moved easily in the lesion due to firm swelling. FNAC smears showed fibrous fragments along with haemorrhagic background. The possibility of Fibroepithelial Polyp was suggested on FNAC based on clinical and cytological features and biopsy was advised to confirm the diagnosis as rare clinical site for acrochordon.

Total surgical excision of the polyp sparing the right nipple was performed and the specimen was sent for histopathological examination. On gross examination, the polypoidal mass was greyish-brown measuring 1.5cm X 1 cm. ([Figure 2])

On cut section, it showed white homogenous areas ([Figure 3]).

On microscopic examination, section showed polypoidal tissue lined by stratified squamous epithelium exhibiting focal acanthosis, mild hyperkeratosis along with fibro collagenous stroma and dilated capillary sized blood vessels. The final histopathological diagnosis was given as fibroepithelial polyp.([Figure 4], [Figure 5], [Figure 6])

Discussion

The fibroepithelial polyp is amongst the common benign skin tumors. The fibroepithelial polyps are skin tags which have large sizes and are pedunculated and may be referred as acrochordon.^[3] The most common occurrence is on neck, axilla, perineum and thighs. They might also occur on female genitalia like vulva as well as male external genitalia like penis and urethra. ^[4] These tumors on the nipple present as a diagnostic challenge due to the rarity of the location as only 7 cases of FEP of the nipple have been reported in the literature.^[5] The differential diagnoses for benign lesions on the nipple includes adnexal polyp, supernumerary nipple, neurofibroma, adenoma, papilloma, wart, leiomyoma and epidermal cyst.^[6] All these entities can be grossly similar to each other and therefore require histologic examination for definitive diagnosis. It is important to recognize and diagnose definitively so as to reassure the patient and for appropriate management of the lesion. ^[7]

Conclusion

Fibroepithelial polyp of the nipple is a rare, but benign tumor that is adequately managed with surgical excision. With fibroepithelial polyps seldomly reported in the literature, it is important to differentiate this lesion from other benign and malignant growths. When a patient presents with a benign-appearing nipple lesion the steps should include a complete patient history, family history; clinical examination of bilateral nipples, breasts, and axillae; FNAC and excisional biopsy for confirming benign nature of the lesion, cosmesis and reassurance of the patient.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

Source of Funding

None.