2017 Jul 11;9(7):e1458. doi: 10.7759/cureus.1458.

Author information

1
Radiation Oncology, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver Centre.
2
Hereditary Cancer Program, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver Centre.
3
Medical Oncology, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver Centre.

Abstract

Ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) gene mutations may confer increased sensitivity to ionizing radiation and increased risk of late toxicity for cancer patients. We present the case of a 55-year-old female treated with adjuvant breast and regional nodal radiation following lumpectomy and axillary lymph node dissection for stage II invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast. She developed severe telangiectasia, fibrosis, induration, chest wall pain (with evidence of rib fractures on imaging), and painful limitation in her range of motion at the shoulder. She was subsequently found to have a likely pathogenic germline ATM gene mutation. At relapse, she elected to pursue systemic therapy alone for intracranial metastases.

KEYWORDS:

ataxia telangiectasia mutated gene; atm; breast cancer; late effects; late toxicity; radiation toxicity; radiotherapy

PMID:
 
28929041
 
PMCID:
 
PMC5593749
 
DOI:
 
10.7759/cureus.1458