Post-surgical pyoderma gangrenosum of the breast: needs for early diagnosis and right therapy

Breast Cancer. 2019 Jul;26(4):520-523. doi: 10.1007/s12282-018-00940-5. Epub 2018 Dec 18.

Abstract

Post-surgical pyoderma gangrenosum (PSPG) of the breast is a rare dermatosis that worsens surgical manipulation, with a chronical relapsing course. Diagnosis is mostly clinical and made by exclusion after the failure of antibiotic therapies and surgical debridement, while the mainstay of therapy is corticosteroid-based. Here we report a case of PSPG of the breast in a young woman with breast cancer, to emphasize the needs of an early and accurate diagnosis, to guarantee the most efficacious treatment and to avoid life-threatening complications.

Keywords: Breast cancer; Breast surgery; Pyoderma gangrenosum.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Breast Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Breast Diseases / drug therapy
  • Breast Diseases / etiology*
  • Breast Neoplasms / surgery
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Mammaplasty / adverse effects
  • Mastectomy, Segmental / adverse effects*
  • Methylprednisolone / therapeutic use
  • Middle Aged
  • Postoperative Complications / etiology
  • Pyoderma Gangrenosum / diagnosis*
  • Pyoderma Gangrenosum / drug therapy
  • Pyoderma Gangrenosum / etiology*

Substances

  • Methylprednisolone