Scleroderma – A Possible Contra‐Indication to Lumpectomy and Radiotherapy in Breast Carcinoma

A patient with scleroderma predominantly involving the skin and lungs developed breast cancer. She underwent lumpectomy and axillary dissection, followed by radiotherapy to the breast, axilla and supraclavicular area. She developed a severe fibrotic reaction involving the entire radiation field, resulting in very poor cosmesis and marked reduction in shoulder function.