Breast Peau d’Orange: What It Is and When to Be Concerned
Dimpled skin is rarely something we’re excited about. Whether it’s a result of cellulite, skin laxity or something else, we tend to associate it with aging. However, it can potentially be a sign of something more nefarious. Experts specifically warn people to watch for dimpled, textured skin on the breast, often referred to as peau d’orange, as it can be a sign of a specific kind of breast cancer. If you have breast wrinkles or dimpled skin, read up on peau d’orange below, as well as how to reduce the appearance if the issue is only cosmetic.
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What is peau d’orange?
“The term peau d’orange translates to ‘skin of an orange’ in French. This is used to describe a variety of conditions that cause the skin to appear dimpled and thickened, like the texture of an orange peel,” says Chapel Hill, NC dermatologist Sue Ellen Cox, MD. Peau d’orange can be a result of a variety of conditions.
Peau d’orange can be a sign of breast cancer
“I think the most important point to discuss here is that peau d’orange can be associated with breast cancer. It’s a very distinct appearance of the breast like the peel of an orange,” says Louisville, KY plastic surgeon Chet Mays, MD. Peau d’orange is linked to “locally advanced breast cancer called inflammatory breast cancer where the skin is thickened, dimpled/pitting (like an orange), swollen and redness or warmth,” explains New York board-certified surgeon, breast surgical oncology expert and Natrelle partner Vivian J. Bea, MD.
This change in breast appearance is a result of “the blockage of lymphatic drainage in the breast from the cancer cells which then leads to fluid retention,” says Dr. Bea. She notes that inflammatory breast cancer is an aggressive form of breast cancer that can be confused for breast infection. Therefore, “A prompt consultation with breast surgeons is necessary for proper diagnosis and expedited treatment which often includes a combination of chemotherapy, surgery and radiation.”
Other causes of peau d’orange
Peau d’orange can be related to a variety of things, from cellulite and skin laxity to conditions like bacterial infections and other genetic diseases, says Dr. Cox. She urges seeing a healthcare professional immediately if you notice peau d’orange to pinpoint the cause. “A biopsy, mammogram or MRI are all reasonable steps to determine what the underlying cause of peau d’orange is.”
How to address the appearance of dimpled skin
First and foremost, “patients should have a full medical diagnosis before seeking cosmetic measures,” says Dr. Cox. It’s essential to ensure the cause of your peau d’orange is not breast cancer so you are not mistakenly treating the condition with cosmetic solutions, says Dr. Mays.
From there, treatment of peau d’orange will depend on the underlying cause, says Dr. Cox. She and Dr. Mays point to neuromodulators or biostimulators like Sculptra as possible ways to face the appearance of dimpled skin.
Dr. Mays says the key to addressing textured skin like peau d’orange is breaking down the texture. “If it’s causing a hollowness, you have to get volume back into that area. One way to do it in the operating room is transferring fat to areas of hollowness,” says Mays. He adds that Morpheus 8 could be a good option as well. “Sometimes laser resurfacing like the Helix that uses ablative and non-ablative energy can help fade the texture irregularities.”
If the texture changes are related to loss of volume and laxity, Dr. Mays tends to address this with a breast augmentation. Additionally, “If there’s a lot of skin laxity and the nipple is hanging below the fold, sometimes a mastopexy or breast lift is needed to tighten the skin.”
Schedule an appointment with a board-certified doctor to discuss what options are best for you, but again, “patients should have a full medical diagnosis before seeking cosmetic measures,” notes Dr. Cox. “Any changes to the breast tissue should be addressed with your board-certified plastic surgeon so they can help navigate down the treatment pathways. And to make sure there is no underlying breast cancer with the skin changes,” says Dr. Mays.
