Dermatosis as the Initial Manifestation of Malignant Breast Tumors: Retrospective Analysis of 4 Cases

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to explore the clinical characteristics, diagnosis, treatment, and prognostic factors of dermatosis associated with malignant breast tumors. CASE REPORTS: The clinical data of 4 breast cancer patients, 3 with dermatomyositis and 1 with acquired ichthyosis, were analyzed retrospectively. The 4 patients were >50 years of age, and the malignant breast tumors appeared within 5 years of the diagnosis of dermatosis. Two of the 3 breast cancer patients with dermatomyositis received a modified radical mastectomy, and because they could not afford systemic chemotherapy after surgery, only received endocrine therapy. The third patient received a simple mastectomy and axillary lymph node dissection but died of respiratory failure 2 months after the operation. The patient with acquired ichthyosis and malignant breast tumor received modified radical mastectomy, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and endocrine therapy; no complications were observed in the postoperative period. During the 9-15 months of follow-up after the surgery, the 3 patients remained in good condition with improvement of the dermatosis symptoms and no cancer relapse. CONCLUSIONS: Malignant breast tumor screening is indicated in women with dermatomyositis or acquired ichthyosis, especially in those aged >50 years.