# Benign Lichenoid Keratosis of the Breast: Clinicopathologic Correlation of a Rare Presentation

**Authors:** Shaikhah Alenezi, Alsadat Mosbeh, Abeer Albazali

PMC · DOI: 10.7759/cureus.99029 · Cureus · 2025-12-12

## TL;DR

This paper presents a rare case of a skin lesion on the breast that resembles a benign inflammatory condition, emphasizing the need for accurate diagnosis to avoid unnecessary treatment.

## Contribution

The paper reports a rare case of BLK on the breast, highlighting diagnostic challenges at non-sun-exposed sites.

## Key findings

- The lesion was completely excised with no recurrence at follow-up.
- Histopathological features confirmed the diagnosis of BLK despite its atypical location.
- The case underscores the importance of clinicopathologic correlation for accurate diagnosis.

## Abstract

Benign lichenoid keratosis (BLK), also known as lichen planus-like keratosis, is a regressive inflammatory lesion that often mimics melanocytic or inflammatory dermatoses. It typically arises in middle-aged to elderly individuals, most commonly on sun-exposed skin, and histologically represents a lichenoid inflammatory response within a pre-existing epidermal lesion such as solar lentigo or seborrheic keratosis. In the present paper, we report a rare case of BLK occurring on the breast of a 53-year-old woman who presented with a solitary, asymptomatic pigmented lesion on the right breast. Clinical examination revealed a well-defined, flat brown macule measuring approximately 0.5 cm, with no surface changes or regional lymphadenopathy. Histopathological examination revealed compact hyperkeratosis, basal vacuolar degeneration, a dense band-like lymphocytic infiltrate, apoptotic keratinocytes, and pigment incontinence with numerous dermal melanophages, features characteristic of BLK. The patient's lesion was completely excised with no recurrence at follow-up. This case highlights the diagnostic challenge of BLK at atypical, non-sun-exposed sites and underscores the importance of clinicopathologic correlation and histopathologic confirmation to prevent misdiagnosis and unnecessary treatment.

## Full-text entities

- **Diseases:** BLK (MESH:D007642), melanocytic or inflammatory dermatoses (MESH:D012871), solar lentigo (MESH:D007911), inflammatory (MESH:D007249), lymphadenopathy (MESH:D008206), epidermal lesion (MESH:D004814), seborrheic keratosis (MESH:D017492), pigmented lesion (MESH:D010859), lichen planus-like keratosis (MESH:D008010)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Full text

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## Figures

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## References

8 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12791175/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12791175