PathNugget

Orange peel Peau d’orange

The human body consists over billions of cells. Between the cells is fluid
that sort of bathes the cells. This fluid is called interstitial fluid and
comes from fluid that leaves surrounding blood vessels into the tissues.
As new interstitial is formed, the old one is drained away by specialized
tubes called lymphatic vessels. Once in the lymphatic vessels, the
interstitial fluid is now called lymph.
As you’d expect, when the lymphatic vessels are blocked, lymph cannot
flow freely through them, and interstitial fluid cannot be drained.
There’s a buildup of fluid then between the cells and whichever tissue is
affected swells up…this swelling is called edema. An example of this
phenomenon is what happens in elephantiasis, where the lymphatic
vessels are blocked by filarial worms, most commonly Wuchereria
bancrofti.
In the breast cancer, lumps of cancer cells can break away and end up in
the lymphatic vessels, obstructing them in the process. The edema so-
formed in the breast stretches the overlying skin of the breast and creates
numerous dimpling spots in it, making it appear like the peel of an
orange. Medics call this appearance peau d’orange, and it’s an early
indication of breast cancer. However, there are other causes of peau
d’orange and hence you should consult your doctor when you see it.
-Kay Bemps