Radiation-induced morphoea treated with UVA-1 phototherapy

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Oncology

Background:

• Morphoea is a localized inflammatory skin condition affecting the dermis and subcutaneous fat.
• Radiotherapy is an uncommon cause of morphoea, with an estimated incidence of 2 per 1000.
• Morphoea can be misdiagnosed as inflammatory breast cancer recurrence, leading to unnecessary procedures.

Observation:

• A 40-year-old woman presented with radiation-induced morphoea of the breast.
• The condition developed 7 months after adjuvant radiotherapy treatment.

Findings:

• The patient was treated with topical and systemic steroids.
• Psoralen plus ultraviolet A (PUVA) therapy was administered.
• UVA1 phototherapy was initiated as a subsequent treatment option.

Implications:

• Accurate differentiation between morphoea and breast cancer recurrence is crucial.
• Timely diagnosis can prevent unnecessary patient anxiety and healthcare costs.
• This case underscores the need for awareness of rare radiotherapy side effects in clinical practice.