Radiat Oncol J.  2014 Dec;32(4):262-265. 10.3857/roj.2014.32.4.262.

Radiation recall dermatitis induced by tamoxifen during adjuvant breast cancer treatment

• Rhee J
• Kim GE
• Lee CH
• Kwon JM
• Han SH
• Kim YS
• Kim WK

• KMID: 1842054
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3857/roj.2014.32.4.262

Abstract

Tamoxifen and radiotherapy are used in breast cancer treatment worldwide. Radiation recall dermatitis (RRD), induced by tamoxifen, has been rarely reported. Herein, we report a RRD case induced by tamoxifen. A 47-year-old woman had a right quadrantectomy and an axillary lymph node dissection due to breast cancer. The tumor was staged pT2N0; it was hormone receptor positive, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 negative. The patient received adjuvant chemotherapy followed by tamoxifen and radiotherapy. After 22 months of tamoxifen, the patient developed a localized heating sensation, tenderness, edema, and redness at the irradiated area of the right breast. The symptoms improved within 1 week without treatment. Three weeks later, however, the patient developed similar symptoms in the same area of the breast. She continued tamoxifen before and during dermatitis, and symptoms resolved within 1 week.

Keyword

Tamoxifen; Radiation recall dermatitis; Treatment

MeSH Terms

Breast
Breast Neoplasms*
Chemotherapy, Adjuvant
Dermatitis
Edema
Female
Heating
Hot Temperature
Humans
Lymph Node Excision
Middle Aged
Radiodermatitis*
Radiotherapy
Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor
Sensation
Tamoxifen*
Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor
Tamoxifen