title: Necrosis in breast cancer patients with skin metastases receiving bevacizumab-based therapy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Bevacizumab has entered daily practice in advanced breast cancer patients, in whom skin metastases occurrence is a common event. Wound healing impairment has been described with bevacizumab, and this study looks at possible deleterious side effects of bevacizumab in patients with skin metastases.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively reviewed a series of 12 patients with advanced breast cancer presenting extensive skin metastases, and who received bevacizumab based therapy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nine patients who initially presented with erosive skin lesions developed extensive and durable skin necrosis, as well as delayed healing of surgical flaps, despite early discontinuation of bevacizumab therapy and intensive skin care in a specialised unit. Skin necrosis was usually associated with extensive tumoural involvement of the skin.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Bevacizumab may be harmful in selected breast cancer patients with metastatic cutaneous involvement.
authors: Department of Medical Oncology, Institut Curie, Paris, France. paul.cottu@curie.net
authors: P H
authors: PH
authors: Cottu
authors: V
authors: V
authors: Fourchotte
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Vincent-Salomon
authors: I
authors: I
authors: Kriegel
authors: I
authors: I
authors: Fromantin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016462:Mammaplasty; D008875:Middle Aged; D009336:Necrosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary*; D012883:Skin Ulcer / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000139:chemically induced; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000068258:Bevacizumab