Synchronous angiosarcoma, melanoma and morphea of the breast skin 14 years after radiotherapy for mammary carcinoma

Acta Derm Venereol. 2010 May;90(3):283-6. doi: 10.2340/00015555-0841.

Abstract

With the improvement in survival after breast cancer there has been increasing interest in the long-term effects of radiotherapy, including the development of tumours. Compared with the general population, breast cancer survivors have a 10-50% higher risk of developing a second cancer. Radiotherapy may play a role in the onset of such lesions. We describe here the case of a 68-year-old woman who developed synchronous cutaneous angiosarcoma, melanoma and morphea of the breast skin and the local area, 14 years after radiotherapy for breast carcinoma. Given the risk of post-radiation secondary primaries in breast cancer patients, long-term surveillance is necessary, with particular attention being paid to skin changes in the irradiation field. Radiation-induced morphea is a rare complication in which immunological abnormalities may stimulate malignant transformation. Long-term studies are required to clarify the pathogenesis of these rare associations.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Breast Neoplasms / radiotherapy*
  • Carcinoma / radiotherapy*
  • Female
  • Hemangiosarcoma / etiology*
  • Hemangiosarcoma / pathology
  • Humans
  • Melanoma / etiology*
  • Melanoma / pathology
  • Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / etiology*
  • Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / pathology
  • Neoplasms, Second Primary / etiology*
  • Neoplasms, Second Primary / pathology
  • Radiotherapy / adverse effects
  • Scleroderma, Localized / etiology*
  • Scleroderma, Localized / pathology
  • Skin / pathology
  • Skin / radiation effects
  • Skin Neoplasms / etiology*
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology
  • Time Factors