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Pulsed dye laser treatment of telangiectasia after radiotherapy for carcinoma of the breast
Author(s) -
Lanigan S.W.,
Joannides T.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
british journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.304
H-Index - 179
eISSN - 1365-2133
pISSN - 0007-0963
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2133.2003.04861.x
Subject(s) - medicine , telangiectasia , radiation therapy , hypopigmentation , sequela , adverse effect , breast carcinoma , dermatology , ataxia telangiectasia , surgery , breast cancer , cancer , biology , dna damage , dna , genetics
Summary Background Chronic radiodermatitis after radiotherapy for carcinoma of the breast is a common sequela of treatment and can be distressing for the patient. The skin is atrophic and shows prominent telangiectasia due to dilatation of a reduced or poorly supported skin vasculature. The pulsed dye laser (PDL) is an established treatment of cutaneous telangiectatic disorders including facial telangiectasia and spider naevi, and is safe and efficacious. Objectives To study the efficacy of the PDL in the treatment of postradiation telangiectasia of the breast or chest wall. Methods Prospective open study of the treatment of eight females with the Candela SPTL1B PDL. Subjective assessments of vessel clearance, adverse effects and patient questionnaires. Results All treated patients showed complete clearance of vessels. Two patients developed hypopigmentation. All patients reported a high degree of satisfaction with the treatment. Conclusions PDL therapy clears postirradiation telangiectasia of the breast and chest wall successfully with minimal adverse reactions, and can be recommended for patients distressed by this disorder.