title: Radiation-induced localized scleroderma in breast cancer patients.
abstract: Radiation-induced scleroderma in breast cancer patients appears to occur in approximately one out of every 500 patients. We report four cases that developed within 3 months of conservative breast surgery and postoperative radiation treatment. The reaction was contained entirely within the treatment field and demonstrated the typical features of this condition where the breast becomes erythematous, violaceous, indurated, retracted, and progressively pigmented. The breast tends to soften and become more comfortable over 1-4 years; however, significant induration, retraction and pigmentary changes remain. There appears to be no predictive factors. Radiation-induced scleroderma must be differentiated from cellulitis and recurrent breast cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Royal Hobart Hospital, Tasmania, Australia. nbleasel@hotmail.com.au
authors.forename: N R
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Bleasel
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Stapleton
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Commens
authors.forename: V A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Ahern
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001941:Breast Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011832:Radiation Injuries; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D012594:Scleroderma, Localized / Q000209:etiology*