Post-Irradiation Morphea: Case report and review of the literature

J Dermatol Case Rep. 2012 Sep 28;6(3):73-7. doi: 10.3315/jdcr.2012.1106.

Abstract

Background: Post-irradiation morphea (PIM) is an entity documented in the literature although still not mentioned in most of the dermatological textbooks with a frequency approximately 2 out of every 1000 patients who received radiotherapy. Most of the cases are misdiagnosed as recurrent or metastatic carcinoma.

Main observations: We report on a 64-year-old woman who was treated with radiotherapy for breast cancer. Two years and eight months after the first dose of radiotherapy, she developed localized morphea in the irradiated area.

Conclusion: We report on a new case with a literature review and discuss pathogenesis, treatment modalities and post irradiation subcutaneos reactions mimicking PIM. Around 54 cases of post-irradiation morphea (PIM) were identified in the literature.

Keywords: adverse event; morphea; radiation; scleroderma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports