tetracycline and Carcinoma--Ductal--Breast

Postoperative wound seromas are a frequent and troublesome occurrence after mastectomy. Recent reports have suggested the efficacy of topical sclerosants at reducing their formation.. A prospective, randomized, double-blinded trial was performed to examine the effect of intraoperatively administered topical tetracycline on the occurrence of postoperative mastectomy seromas. Thirty-two women were randomized to the control arm (normal saline) and 30 women to the tetracycline arm. In the treatment group, 100 ml (2 g) of tetracycline solution was administered topically to the chest wall and skin flaps prior to skin closure. The control group received an equal volume of normal saline. Patients were monitored for the development of postoperative wound seroma.. There were no significant differences between groups regarding total volume of closed suction drainage, numbers of patients leaving hospital with drains in place, or duration of catheter drainage. Seroma formation 2 weeks postoperatively was greater in the tetracycline group than the control group (53% vs. 22%, P = 0.01). There were no differences between groups regarding the degree of postoperative pain, wound infection, or seroma formation 1 month postoperatively.. Topical tetracycline is not effective at preventing post-mastectomy wound seromas.

Topics: Administration, Topical; Breast Neoplasms; Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast; Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating; Catheterization; Chi-Square Distribution; Double-Blind Method; Drainage; Exudates and Transudates; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Intraoperative Care; Mastectomy, Modified Radical; Pain, Postoperative; Prospective Studies; Protein Synthesis Inhibitors; Sclerosing Solutions; Sclerotherapy; Sodium Chloride; Suction; Surgical Wound Infection; Tetracycline

A rare complication occurring in a female patient who underwent conservative surgery and radiation therapy for breast cancer is described. Three weeks after the completion of radiotherapy, a diffuse bullous pemphigoid eruption developed in the irradiated area, spreading thereafter to the whole body. Although systemic cutaneous side effects have been reported after radiation therapy, this is the first occurrence of bullous pemphigoid ever reported in a female patient following treatment for breast cancer. Having made the diagnosis, an effective therapeutic regimen including nicotinamide and tetracycline was started. As the conservative management of breast cancer is now widely adopted, oncologists and physicians should be aware of such rare side effects due to radiation therapy.

Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Breast Neoplasms; Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast; Dermatologic Agents; Female; Humans; Mastectomy, Segmental; Middle Aged; Niacinamide; Pemphigoid, Bullous; Radiation Injuries; Radiotherapy; Tetracycline