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. 2015 Jan-Feb;60(1):106.
doi: 10.4103/0019-5154.147880.

Acquired lymphangiectasis following surgery and radiotherapy of breast cancer

Angoori Gnaneshwar Rao  1
Affiliations

Acquired lymphangiectasis following surgery and radiotherapy of breast cancer

Angoori Gnaneshwar Rao. Indian J Dermatol. 2015 Jan-Feb.

Abstract

Acquired lymphangiectasia (AL) is a significant and rare complication of surgery and radiotherapy. We report lymphangiectasia in a 40-year-old woman who had undergone radical mastectomy and radiotherapy. After 4 years of combined therapy, she developed multiple vesicles and bullae. Skin biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of lymphangiectasia. The case is unique as it is not associated with lymphedema, which is a usual accompaniment of lymphangiectasia following surgery and radiotherapy. AL is usually asymptomatic, but trauma may cause recurrent cellulitis. Treatment modalities include electrodessication, surgical excision, sclerotherapy and carbon dioxide laser ablation.

Keywords: Acquired lymphagiectasia; lymphedema; radiation; surgery.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: Nil.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Multiple grouped vesicles and bullae on the right mammary region and lateral wall of chest and right hypochondrium
Figure 2
Figure 2
Purple and translucent vesicles and hypertrophic pedunculated bullae
Figure 3
Figure 3
Histopathology skin showing numerous dilated lymphatics in the superficial and papillary dermis (H and E, ×10)
Figure 4
Figure 4
Histopathology skin showing dilated lymphatics in the superficial and papillary dermis lined by flattened endothelial cells with mild hyperkeratosis (H and E, ×40)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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