Combination cryosurgery with hyperthermia in the management of skin metastasis from breast cancer: A case report

Abstract INTRODUCTION Skin metastases may impair the quality of life due to physical appearance, odour, and bleeding. PRESENTATION OF CASE A 70-year-old woman presented with two enlarging nodules (measuring 12 cm and 3 cm in diameter) consistent with metastatic breast cancer in the left subclavicular area. The larger tumour did not respond to initial cryosurgery. Therefore we added hyperthermia using a disposable body warmer. In addition, the cryosurgery technique was modified to freeze deeper tissue. The entire tumour was covered with dry cotton, to which liquid nitrogen was applied. Twenty weeks later, the tumour became nearly flat and the patient noted improved activity in her daily life. DISCUSSION Combination treatment with sufficient freezing is important for controlling the tumour, while hyperthermia may accelerate the antitumor effects of cryosurgery. CONCLUTION This treatment provides an alternative for unresectable breast cancer skin metastases resistant to chemotherapy and radiotherapy.