What is it about?
•Radiation-induced morphea is a rare and under-recognized complication of radiotherapy. •Symptoms may occur years after completion of radiotherapy. •There has been no association between the development of radiation-induced morphea and recurrent malignancy. •Anti-inflammatory focused treatments may mitigate the deterioration of radiation-induced morphea. •Early recognition of symptoms empowers patient education and management of expectations.
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Why is it important?
Breast reconstruction is currently an inseparable part of breast cancer surgery in most of the western world. Radiation is an essential part of cancer treatment may affect the future reconstruction considerations. Common immediate and late radiation complications to the reconstructed breast are well documented. This study looked at a rare, Underdiagnosed and disfiguring complication named - Radiation-induced morphea following breast cancer treatment. Raising patients and physicians awareness of this complication may shorten the time of diagnosis and make the treatment more efficient.
Perspectives
Radiation-induced morphea is a rare side effect of RT. Unfortunately, there are no known predictors for RIM, nor are there any validated treatment options. Early recognition of symptoms on the part of the treating physician empower patient education and management of expectations. There has been no association between the development of RIM and recurrent malignancy. Patients who develop RIM are considered a breast conservation failure because they have a poor long-term cosmetic outcome. It is the author's opinion that focused anti-inflammatory treatments might spare further patient interventions and might mitigate the deterioration of RIM.
Dr Or Friedman
Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Underdiagnosed and disfiguring - Radiation-induced morphea following breast cancer treatment, The Breast, June 2018, Elsevier,
DOI: 10.1016/j.breast.2018.04.006.
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