Melvin Deutsch MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

John Charles Flickinger MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To determine the effect of breast irradiation on the number and size of senile angiomas (cherry angiomas) on the skin exposed to radiation in women treated with lumpectomy and breast irradiation for carcinoma of the breast.

One clinician prospectively evaluated 207 women who presented for followup after previous high dose whole breast irradiation following lumpectomy for unilateral breast cancer. This observer counted and measured the angiomas on the irradiated and the opposite "control" breast of all patients. The women ranged in age from 27-85 years (median 60 years) at the time of breast irradiation. The most commonly administered regimen was 5000 cGy in 25-28 fractions with an additional boost to the operative area. The majority received adjuvant hormonal therapy and/or chemotherapy. The interval from the end of radiotherapy to followup examination for angiomas ranged from 4-283 months (median 85 months).

Twenty-six women (12.6%) had more angiomas on the irradiated breast skin and 48 women (23.2%) had an equal number on both breasts including 24 women with no angiomas on either breast. One hundred thirty-three women (64.3%) had fewer angiomas on the irradiated breast skin (p<0.0005 by the two tailed paired t-test). For the 26 patients with more angiomas on the irradiated breast skin, the number of additional angiomas ranged from 1-4 (median 2). For the 133 patients with more angiomas on the contralateral non-irradiated breast skin, the number of additional angiomas ranged from 1-20 (median 3). Sixty-four patients had no angiomas on the ipsilateral irradiated breast skin, and 34 had none on the contralateral breast skin. Angiomas on the irradiated breast skin were smaller (p<0.0005). Increasing age at treatment was the only factor predicting for a statistically significant decrease in the number and size of ipsilateral versus contralateral angiomas.

The irradiated skin of the breast, especially in older women, is likely to have fewer and smaller cherry angiomas than the opposite breast. These lesions have no clinical significance and thus, do not require treatment. Radiotherapy is not being suggested as treatment for these benign lesions.

Deutsch, M, Flickinger, J, Effect of Breast Irradiation on the Number and Size of Senile Cherry Angiomas of the Skin on the Irradiated Breast versus the Opposite Non-irradiated Breast.  Radiological Society of North America 2004 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 28 - December 3, 2004 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2004/4409332.html