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Hair Loss Resembling Alopecia Areata Caused by Metastatic Breast Cancer

William F. Schorr, MD; Priscilla M. Swanson, MD; Faustino Gomez, MD; Cesar N. Reyes, MD

JAMA. 1970;213(8):1335-1337.

Abstract
In two women almost circular areas of baldness which closely resembled alopecia areata were actually caused by metastatic cancer of the breast. Groups and strands of adenocarcinoma cells throughout the dermis of the scalp lesion initiated a desmoplastic reaction that appeared to cause atrophy and disappearance of the hair follicles. The need for breast examination in women with hair loss resembling common alopecia areata is obvious. A punch biopsy of alopecia areatalike lesions in women in the cancerprone age group could resolve the diagnosis.

Author Affiliations
From the departments of dermatology (Drs. Schorr, Swanson, and Gomez) and pathology (Dr. Reyes), Marshfield (Wis) Clinic, and the Marshfield Clinic Foundation for Medical Research and Education.

Footnotes
Reprint requests to 630 S Central Ave, Marshfield, Wis 54449 (Dr. Schorr).

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