Characteristics and treatment of postirradiation morphea: A retrospective multicenter analysis

Characterizing the Links Between Systemic Sclerosis and Breast Cancer

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a complex, autoimmune connective tissue disease that affects multiple organs in the body, culminating in a variance of severity and a reduced quality of life. Breast cancer (BC) also affects patients with SSc, and these two conditions affect a similar demographic. With this systematic review, we aim to characterize the links between SSc and BC. Characterizing possible links between SSc and breast malignancies is important for advancing the understanding of SSc management and comorbidities. In this systematic meta-analysis, a comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed using relevant keywords and MeSH terms. The inclusion criteria included an English-language retrospective analysis that characterized patients with SSc with or without BC. Two independent reviewers assessed the study's eligibility based on predetermined criteria. Data extraction included patient antibody measurements, demographics (age and gender), family history, social behaviors (alcohol use and smoking history), concurrent condition treatments, and adverse effects following treatment. Thirteen articles were identified in the literature with relevant data on SSc and BC patients. Studies encompassed research about SSc patients with or without BC and relevant risk factors being measured. SSc was found to have a link to antibodies widely associated with cancer. Adverse treatment outcomes and concurrent conditions of BC were found when patients had a family history of SSc, BC, or an alcohol or smoking history. Our results suggest that the presence of antinuclear antibodies, anti-centromere antibodies, or anti-topoisomerase antibodies in SSc patients is correlated with BC. Out of the three antibodies, ATA seemed to be found more commonly in patients with SSc and malignancy across the studies. This systematic review discusses the link between SSc and BC through patients with relevant clinical markers, medical histories, and treatments. However, further research is necessary to advance the linkage between SSc and BC and determine whether management of one condition may prevent or alleviate the other.

[Radiation-induced morphea-an overview]

BACKGROUND

Radiation-induced morphea is a fibro-inflammatory remodelling process of the subcutaneous connective tissue caused by ionising radiation, most commonly in the context of breast cancer treatment. The underlying pathomechanisms and putative risk factors are unknown. Therefore, misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment pose a significant problem in the care of those patients.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was to provide an overview as well as guidance for the diagnosis and treatment of radiation-induced morphea based on current case reports and review articles.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

Radiation-induced morphea is a rare condition that represents an interdisciplinary challenge for (gynaecological) oncology, radiotherapy and dermatology. Frequent misdiagnoses include infection (erysipelas), cancer recurrence or radiation dermatitis. Early histological diagnosis and the initiation of anti-inflammatory therapy using topical glucocorticoids or calcineurin inhibitors in combination with phototherapy and/or methotrexate are the most relevant success factors for an adequate clinical response.

Body site distribution of pediatric-onset morphea and association with extracutaneous manifestations

BACKGROUND

The distribution of pediatric-onset morphea and site-based likelihood for extracutaneous complications has not been well characterized.

OBJECTIVE

To characterize the lesional distribution of pediatric-onset morphea and to determine the sites with the highest association of extracutaneous manifestations.

METHODS

A retrospective cross-sectional study was performed. Using clinical photographs, morphea lesions were mapped onto body diagrams using customized software.

RESULTS

A total of 823 patients with 2522 lesions were included. Lesions were more frequent on the superior (vs inferior) anterior aspect of the head and extensor (vs flexor) extremities. Linear morphea lesions were more likely on the head and neck, whereas plaque and generalized morphea lesions were more likely on the trunk. Musculoskeletal complications were more likely with lesions on the extensor (vs flexor) extremity (odds ratio [OR], 2.0; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2-3.4), whereas neurologic manifestations were more likely with lesions on the anterior (vs posterior) (OR, 2.8; 95% CI, 1.7-4.6) and superior (vs inferior) aspect of the head (OR, 2.3; 95% CI, 1.6-3.4).

LIMITATIONS

Retrospective nature and the inclusion of only patients with clinical photographs.

CONCLUSION

The distribution of pediatric-onset morphea is not random and varies with body site and within individual body sites. The risk stratification of extracutaneous manifestations by body site may inform decisions about screening for extracutaneous manifestations, although prospective studies are needed.

Dermatologic toxicities associated with radiation therapy in women with breast cancer

Breast-conserving surgery with adjuvant radiation therapy has become the standard of care for women with early stage breast cancer, and as a result, a large number of patients are affected by the cutaneous sequelae of radiation therapy. These dermatologic toxicities may present during treatment or years later and can significantly impact patients’ quality of life. In this review, we discuss the clinical presentation, prevention, and management of radiation-induced cutaneous toxicities in women with breast cancer, including radiation dermatitis, radiation recall, radiation-induced morphea, radiation-induced fibrosis, and cutaneous malignancies in irradiated skin.

Incidence of Morphea following Adjuvant Irradiation of the Breast in 2,268 Patients

Background

Morphea of the breast is an autoimmune reaction of the subcutaneous connective tissue which can be triggered by exposure to ionizing radiation. The literature suggests incidence rates of 1:500 to 1:3,000 which, however, do not seem to match the very small number of cases reported.

Objectives

The aim of the present study was to determine the incidence of morphea following irradiation of the breast in order to generate more evidence about the frequency of this serious and mutilating complication.

Method

Retrospective analysis of patient data who underwent adjuvant radiotherapy in the period 2009-2018 following breast-conserving surgery and who made use of the recommended radiooncology follow-up examinations in 2018. Analysis was done by descriptive statistics.

Results

Of a total of 5,129 patients who had undergone radiotherapy over a 10-year period, follow-up data were available in 2,268 patients. In 2,236 patients (98.6%) the breast had been irradiated using conventional fractionation schemes with a total dose of 50-50.4 Gy; 32 (1.4%) were given a total dose of 40.05 Gy in 15 fractions. During the observation period, 6 patients were diagnosed with morphea (4 unilateral and 2 bilateral) by punch biopsies resulting in a cumulative incidence proportion of 0.26% (95% CI: 0.24-0.28), translating into 1 case for every 378 irradiated patients.

Conclusions

In the case studies reported to date, morphea is described as a very rare complication. In contrast, our data suggest a cumulative incidence of 1:378, which is higher than other authors have estimated. This leads us to suspect that in a large number of patients, morphea is incorrectly diagnosed as an infection (in the early stages) and radiation-induced fibrosis (in later stages).

Radiation-induced morphea-a rare but severe late effect of adjuvant breast irradiation : Case report and review of the literature

Background

Radiation-induced morphea (RIM) is a circumscribed localized scleroderma that occurs most often in the breast. After an asymptomatic period of one month to several years, the symptoms (circumscribed inflammation, edema, sclerosis) often arise suddenly and cannot be clinically distinguished from a local recurrence in the form of inflammatory carcinoma.

Case

We present a case of a 74-year-old woman who developed this rare and serious local side-effect in connective tissue following neoadjuvant CDK 4/6 inhibitor abemaciclib (Verzenio®) and aromatase inhibitor anastrozole (Arimidex®) therapy and subsequent radiation therapy of the breast.

Conclusions

Little is known about risk factors and pathogenesis of RIM. Here we describe the first case of RIM following immunotherapy. The diagnosis is based on clinical appearance and histopathological examination. Treatment should be initiated in the inflammatory stage in order to prevent or delay irreversible fibrosis and atrophy of the breast.

A case of radiation-induced bullous morphea/lichen sclerosus overlap in a breast cancer patient

Radiation induced morphea (RIM) is an increasingly common complication of radiation treatment for malignancy as early detection has made more patients eligible for non-surgical treatment options. In many cases, the radiation oncologist is the first person to learn of the initial skin changes, often months before a dermatologist sees them. In this paper we present a breast cancer patient who developed a rare bullous variant of RIM, which delayed her diagnosis and subsequent treatment. It is imperative to diagnose RIM early as it carries significant morbidity and permanent deformity if left untreated. The lesions typically present within 1 year of radiation therapy and extend beyond the radiated field. RIM is often mistaken for radiation dermatitis or cellulitis. Bullae, when present, are often hemorrhagic in appearance, which can serve as another clinical clue. It is important to refer these patients for a full gynecologic exam as there can be concurrent anogenital lichen sclerosus et atrophicus which is both debilitating and carries a long term risk for squamous cell carcinoma. Treatment with systemic agents is often necessary, and can be managed by a dermatologist. The most proven regimen in the literature appears to be methotrexate, with our without concurrent narrow band UVB phototherapy.