Mammary Malignant Ulcer after Radiotherapy: Unpleasant Surprise

Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2017 Apr 20;5(4):e1312. doi: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000001312. eCollection 2017 Apr.

Abstract

We present a case of a woman, 79 years old, followed by Psychiatry for depressive episodes after breast cancer removal. She was operated on for ductal breast carcinoma in 1983. Afterward she was submitted to adjuvant radiotherapy. She came to our attention for a chronic skin ulcer that developed into the radio-treated area about 4 years ago. We performed a skin biopsy and programed adipose tissue grafts to promote wound healing. The result of the biopsy was unexpected: dermal localization of not differentiated breast carcinoma. She is currently under systemic chemotherapy treatment. The key message is to always perform a skin biopsy of a chronic skin ulcer developed after breast cancer removal before planning surgical reconstruction.

Publication types

  • Case Reports