Postirradiation morphea in a breast cancer patient.
We present the case of a 52-year-old woman who underwent lumpectomy and radiation therapy for breast carcinoma and 2 years later presented with changes limited to the breast radiation field including hyperpigmentation, retraction, and skin thickening. These clinical features, along with pathologic findings, were diagnostic of postirradiation morphea. It is important to be aware of this rare complication of radiation therapy because it clinically presents with symptoms mimicking malignancy and may be misinterpreted as recurrent carcinoma or even angiosarcoma.
Dubner
Steve
S
Department of Pathology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53226, USA.
Bovi
Joseph
J
White
Julia
J
Susnik
Barbara
B
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015412:Mastectomy, Segmental; D008875:Middle Aged; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000473:pathology*; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D012594:Scleroderma, Localized / Q000209:etiology*; D012880:Skin Pigmentation; D013997:Time Factors