Erysipelas after breast cancer treatment

BACKGROUND: Study of the epidemiological, clinical and evolutive characteristics of the erysipelas of patients treated for breast cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between February 93 and December 99, 20 patients among 700 (2.85%) treated for breast cancer in the radiotherapy department of sfax have presented an erysipelas. All of these patients had undergone a chirurgical treatment containing an axillary lymph node dissection with radiotherapy in 95% and adjuvent chemotherapy in 80% of cases. RESULTS: The medium delay between the appearance of the eryslpelas and the end of treatment was 23 months. The preferential localisation was the homolateral upper limb to the treated breast (95%). The immediate evolution was favourable in 85% after antibiotherapy. Recurrence of erysipelas was seen in 20% in cases. DISCUSSION: Erysipelas after treatment of breast cancer is known but rarely reported. The secondary lymphedema of the upper limb is the major favouring factor. CONCLUSION: Appearance of erysipelas among women treated for breast cancer is frequent, his recurrent character must always lead to antibiotic prophylaxis.