title: [Subcutaneous calcinosis, a late and severe complication of radiotherapy: Three cases].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Radiation-induced subcutaneous calcinosis is a rare and special form of potentially severe subcutaneous calcinosis of late onset. Herein, we report three cases of this disease, occurring in each instance more than 10 years after use of radiotherapy as an adjuvant treatment in breast cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Our report concerns 3 women aged 69-88 years consulting for pre-sternal ulcers (n=2) and/or subcutaneous nodules (n=2). These lesions developed on areas irradiated between 10 and 38 years earlier for breast cancer. In all three cases, radiological explorations showed extensive subcutaneous calcification. In one case, calcification extended into the mediastinum. In each patient, a diagnosis of radiation-induced subcutaneous calcinosis was made and symptomatic treatment was given.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Radiation-induced subcutaneous calcinosis is an irreversible and rare complication of high-dose radiation that usually occurs several years after radiotherapy. Its severity is related to potential ulcerations, pain and a risk for in-depth extension up to the mediastina. This complication remains unclear and treatment has not been codified. The only option seems to be "heavy" plastic surgery.
authors.affiliation: Service de dermatologie, centre hospitalier Victor-Dupouy, 69, rue du Lieutenant-Colonel-Prud'hon, 95107 Argenteuil cedex, France.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Galezowski
authors.affiliation: Service de dermatologie, centre hospitalier Victor-Dupouy, 69, rue du Lieutenant-Colonel-Prud'hon, 95107 Argenteuil cedex, France.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sin
authors.affiliation: Service de radiothérapie, centre hospitalier Victor-Dupouy, 69, rue du Lieutenant-Colonel-Prud'hon, 95107 Argenteuil cedex, France.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rothé-Thomas
authors.affiliation: Service de dermatologie, centre hospitalier Victor-Dupouy, 69, rue du Lieutenant-Colonel-Prud'hon, 95107 Argenteuil cedex, France.
authors.forename: M Amy
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: de la Bretèque
authors.affiliation: Service de dermatologie, centre hospitalier Victor-Dupouy, 69, rue du Lieutenant-Colonel-Prud'hon, 95107 Argenteuil cedex, France.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bilan
authors.affiliation: Service de dermatologie, centre hospitalier Victor-Dupouy, 69, rue du Lieutenant-Colonel-Prud'hon, 95107 Argenteuil cedex, France.
authors.forename: M-L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Sigal
authors.affiliation: Service de dermatologie, centre hospitalier Victor-Dupouy, 69, rue du Lieutenant-Colonel-Prud'hon, 95107 Argenteuil cedex, France. Electronic address: emmanuel.mahe@ch-argenteuil.fr.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mahé
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000209:etiology*; D003240:Connective Tissue Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D040521:Subcutaneous Tissue / Q000528:radiation effects*; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: Breast; Calcinose; Calcinosis; Cancer; Radiodermatitis; Radiodermite; Radiotherapy; Radiothérapie; Sein