Hyperkeratosis of the Nipple and Areola Follow-up

  • Author: Joseph C English III, MD; Chief Editor: Dirk M Elston, MD   more...
 
Updated: Jul 20, 2010
 

Further Outpatient Care

The follow-up care for patients with primary hyperkeratosis of the nipple and/or areola (HNA) is based on the response to therapy and any change in the clinical presentation. A follow-up examination at 3-6 months after the initiation of therapy is reasonable. The patient should be instructed to return to the clinic immediately if any nipple discharge, nipple retraction, or palpable mass is present.

Monthly breast examinations are important for breast cancer surveillance, and they are mandatory for all patients with hyperkeratosis of the nipple and/or areola, especially if the disease is unilateral. Patients should be cautioned and educated not to attribute any changes in their breasts to the associated hyperkeratosis of the nipple and/or areola.

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Patient Education

Patient education of nevoid hyperkeratosis of the nipple and/or areola is important to help individuals understand their condition and to allow them to form realistic expectations regarding treatment. Patients should be warned that with topical preparations, a long period may pass before clinical improvement occurs. Treatment with an individual medication should be continued for at least 6 months before it is deemed a failure.

Lesions may recur after therapy is discontinued. In some patients, hyperkeratosis of the nipple and/or areola does not respond to any treatment.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Joseph C English III, MD  Clinical Vice-Chairman for Quality and Innovation, Associate Professor of Dermatology, Department of Dermatology, University of Pittsburgh

Joseph C English III, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology and American Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Kathryn Schwarzenberger, MD  Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Dermatology, University of Vermont College of Medicine; Consulting Staff, Division of Dermatology, Fletcher Allen Health Care

Kathryn Schwarzenberger, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Contact Dermatitis Society, American Dermatological Association, Dermatology Foundation, Medical Dermatology Society, and Women's Dermatologic Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Michael J Wells, MD  Associate Professor, Department of Dermatology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Paul L Foster School of Medicine

Michael J Wells, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, and Texas Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Edward F Chan, MD  Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine

Edward F Chan, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Society of Dermatopathology, and Society for Investigative Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Catherine M Quirk, MD  Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania

Catherine M Quirk, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha and American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Dirk M Elston, MD  Director, Department of Dermatology, Geisinger Medical Center

Dirk M Elston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

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An adult male with bilateral primary hyperkeratosis of the nipple and areola
A close-up of the patient's right nipple/areola complex.
A close up of the patient's nipple/areola complex.
 
 
 
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