Year-end Sale % OFF 
Abstract
Hyperthermia has been demonstrated to be an effective adjuvant oncological treatment modality in combination with chemotherapy and/or radiation. Published data have demonstrated that the addition of hyperthermia can improve local control for breast cancer chest wall recurrences. We present a patient with a very aggressive estrogen receptor-negative, progesterone receptor-negative, HER2/neu receptor-negative chest wall recurrence status-post a right modified radical mastectomy. Despite having metastatic disease, in an attempt to achieve local control and provide palliation, she was treated with hyperthermia, radiation, and chemotherapy. A near complete resolution of her chest wall recurrence in a very short time period was seen with a significant improvement in her symptoms. While she unfortunately succumbed to her disease shortly thereafter, the local control that our treatment offered her allowed her quality of life to improve significantly near the end of her life.
Highlights
Chest wall recurrences are a source of significant morbidity for breast cancer patients
Though many patients who present with a chest wall recurrence already have distant metastatic disease, achieving local control for palliation should be attempted if possible
Metastatic disease was identified prior to initiating therapy. She was treated with radiation, chemotherapy, and hyperthermia, which resulted in a near complete resolution of her chest wall recurrence in a very short time period and a significant improvement in her symptoms. While she did succumb to her disease, the local control that our aggressive multimodality treatment offered her allowed her quality of life to improve significantly near the end of her life
Summary
Chest wall recurrences are a source of significant morbidity for breast cancer patients. She presented to a radiation oncologist approximately three weeks after her chest wall recurrence (Figure 1) She complained of worsening right-sided breast pain, which she rated as 7/10 in severity, with radiation to her axilla and down to her fingertips. She was initially tolerating treatment fairly well, but due to the development of skin desquamation and Grade 3 dermatitis, treatment was stopped after receiving 58 Gy and completing 12 of the 14 planned hyperthermia treatments. Three weeks following completion of treatment, she presented to the emergency department with a two to three-week history of worsening shortness of breath, chest, and abdominal pain Review of her breast imaging showed significant breast tumor response with the tumor in a single focus measuring < 2 cm with much less skin thickening and no obvious involvement of the pectoralis musculature. IDC: invasive ductal carcinomas; CT: computed tomography; CWR: chest wall recurrence; MRI: magnetic resonance imaging; ED: emergency department; SOB: shortness of breath
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
