An unusual case of breast cancer masked by hidradenitis suppurativa

We report a rare case of a 28-year-old African-American woman with chronic hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), in whom breast masses were initially misattributed to HS-related inflammation, delaying diagnosis of breast cancer. She presented with back pain and diagnostic work-up revealed thoracic vertebral metastasis. Dedicated breast imaging showed suspicious breast masses and biopsy confirmed invasive ductal carcinoma. This case highlights the importance of breast imaging when inflammatory skin conditions of the breast fail to respond to standard treatment.