INTRODUCTION: Skin metastases may impair the quality of life due to physical appearance, odour, and bleeding. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 70-year-old woman presented with two enlarging nodules (measuring 12 cm and 3 cm in diameter) consistent with metastatic breast cancer in the left subclavicular area. The larger tumour did not respond to initial cryosurgery. Therefore we added hyperthermia using a disposable body warmer. In addition, the cryosurgery technique was modified to freeze deeper tissue. The entire tumour was covered with dry cotton, to which liquid nitrogen was applied. Twenty weeks later, the tumour became nearly flat and the patient noted improved activity in her daily life. DISCUSSION: Combination treatment with sufficient freezing is important for controlling the tumour, while hyperthermia may accelerate the antitumor effects of cryosurgery. CONCLUSION: [corrected] This treatment provides an alternative for unresectable breast cancer skin metastases resistant to chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
INTRODUCTION: Skin metastases may impair the quality of life due to physical appearance, odour, and bleeding. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 70-year-old woman presented with two enlarging nodules (measuring 12 cm and 3 cm in diameter) consistent with metastatic breast cancer in the left subclavicular area. The larger tumour did not respond to initial cryosurgery. Therefore we added hyperthermia using a disposable body warmer. In addition, the cryosurgery technique was modified to freeze deeper tissue. The entire tumour was covered with dry cotton, to which liquid nitrogen was applied. Twenty weeks later, the tumour became nearly flat and the patient noted improved activity in her daily life. DISCUSSION: Combination treatment with sufficient freezing is important for controlling the tumour, while hyperthermia may accelerate the antitumor effects of cryosurgery. CONCLUSION: [corrected] This treatment provides an alternative for unresectable breast cancer skin metastases resistant to chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Entities:
Keywords:
Breast cancer; Heating pad; Liquid nitrogen
Authors: C C Vernon; J W Hand; S B Field; D Machin; J B Whaley; J van der Zee; W L van Putten; G C van Rhoon; J D van Dijk; D González González; F F Liu; P Goodman; M Sherar Journal: Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys Date: 1996-07-01 Impact factor: 7.038
Authors: Luca G Campana; Sara Galuppo; Sara Valpione; Antonella Brunello; Cristina Ghiotto; Alessia Ongaro; Carlo R Rossi Journal: J Cancer Res Clin Oncol Date: 2014-05-03 Impact factor: 4.553