peau d'orange
Last reviewed 01/2018
Peau d'orange describes the characteristic appearance of skin overlying a breast carcinoma. It is due to invasion of the axillary lymphatics by tumour producing obstruction and subsequently, oedema of the overlying skin. This creates an orange peel appearance.
Overlying a breast lump, this appearance is almost pathognomonic of carcinoma. The differential diagnosis is inflammatory breast cancer where localised oedema may result from obliteration of cutaneous lymphatics by tumour cells.