Electrochemotherapy in the Treatment of Massive, Multisite Breast Cancer Metastasis to the Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue: A Case Report

Breast Care (Basel). 2016 Oct;11(5):353-355. doi: 10.1159/000450869. Epub 2016 Oct 19.

Abstract

Background: Chest wall recurrence (CWR) from breast cancer after mastectomy is a difficult to treat disease. Electrochemotherapy (ECT) provides a safe, efficient, and non-invasive locoregional treatment approach in this setting.

Case report: A 61-year-old woman presented with unresectable breast cancer recurrence to the skin and subcutaneous tissue for which numerous lines of treatment were unsuccessful. Between February 2015 and May 2015, the patient underwent 3 courses of ECT after which a spectacular regression of the cutaneous metastatic foci was observed. After an overall observation period of 12 weeks, complete clinical remission was achieved.

Conclusion: ECT can be proposed as an effective and safe locoregional therapy for breast cancer CWR and provides an alternative treatment modality to conventional therapies, especially in the case of multiple cutaneous and subcutaneous lesions.

Keywords: Bleomycin; Breast cancer; Chest wall recurrence; Electrochemotherapy.