Radiation Oncology Journal  2014;32(4):262-265

doi:10.3857/roj.2014.32.4.262

Radiation recall dermatitis induced by tamoxifen during adjuvant breast cancer treatment.

Jiyoung RHEE ; Gwi Eon KIM ; Chang Hyun LEE ; Jung Mi KWON ; Sang Hoon HAN ; Young Suk KIM ; Woo Kun KIM

Keywords

Tamoxifen; Radiation recall dermatitis; Treatment

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

English

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.