The woman with unexplained anaemia

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Surgical Oncology
• Plastic Surgery

Background:

• A 77-year-old female patient presented with cellulitis and unexplained anemia.
• Initial outpatient examination for lymphedema revealed a fungating neck mass.

Observation:

• Biopsy confirmed the neck mass as a mixed basaloid adenocarcinoma.
• The patient required hospitalization for management of cellulitis and anemia, and further investigation of the tumor.

Findings:

• The patient underwent wide local excision of the neck tumor via posterolateral neck dissection.
• The resulting surgical defect was reconstructed using a deltopectoral flap.

Implications:

• This case highlights the importance of thorough examination in patients with lymphedema, as it can reveal underlying malignancies.
• Successful surgical management of advanced neck adenocarcinoma with flap reconstruction demonstrates effective multidisciplinary care.
• This approach offers a viable option for managing complex head and neck defects following oncologic resection.