Acupuncture-Related Rapid Dermal Spread of Breast Cancer: A Rare Case.
10.4048/jbc.2011.14.4.340
- Author:
Hsin Shun TSENG
1
;
Szu Erh CHAN
;
Shou Jen KUO
;
Dar Ren CHEN
Author Information
1. Comprehensive Breast Cancer Center, Department of Medical Research, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan. darren_chen@cch.org.tw
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Acupuncture;
Breast neoplasms;
Neoplasms metastasis;
Skin
- MeSH:
Acupuncture;
Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized;
Asian Continental Ancestry Group;
Biopsy;
Breast;
Breast Neoplasms;
Complementary Therapies;
Deoxycytidine;
Dermis;
Far East;
Female;
Humans;
Incidence;
Lymph Nodes;
Middle Aged;
Neck;
Paclitaxel;
Punctures;
Recurrence;
Skin;
Thorax;
Trastuzumab
- From:Journal of Breast Cancer
2011;14(4):340-344
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Many ethnic Chinese patients seek second or adjuvant alternative therapies after breast cancer is diagnosed. Chinese herbs and acupuncture are the most popular methods in East Asia. We present a case of acupuncture manipulation-related cutaneous spread that no literature reported before. Post-acupuncture cutaneous spread was noted in a 54-year-old woman with left neck lymph node recurrence after complete surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment. The results of chest computed tomography and skin biopsy showed the metastatic breast cancer in the dermis. Six courses of paclitaxel and gemcitabine followed by trastuzumab were given as therapeutic chemotherapy. The neck mass and cutaneous lesions subsided after 2 courses of chemotherapy. Direct puncture of a metastatic lymph node might increase the incidence of tumor spread on the skin. Therefore, despite the efficacy of complementary and alternative medicine, its safety and possible side effects should be more emphasized.
