Docetaxel extravasation into the normal breast during breast cancer treatment

Anticancer Drugs. 2004 Apr;15(4):401-4. doi: 10.1097/00001813-200404000-00013.

Abstract

We report a new case of central line extravasation of docetaxel into the normal breast of a patient with metastatic left breast cancer. During the infusion of docetaxel, the patient complained of mild discomfort at the site of a subclavian Port-a-Cath, followed by redness, warmth and itchiness of the entire skin of the right breast beneath the port of entry, and it involved the entire right breast by the next day. Over the following few days, she developed blistering, desquamation and oozing of serous fluid through skin fissures. Anti-histamines and hydrocortisonebased ointment induced partial relief of symptoms. Warm soaks induced skin relief. Reaction resolved over few weeks leaving a brownish pigmentation of the skin of the breast, with clearly demarcated lines, as the only sequlae.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / adverse effects*
  • Blister / chemically induced
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Breast*
  • Docetaxel
  • Extravasation of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Materials / etiology*
  • Female
  • Histamine H1 Antagonists / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Hydrocortisone / therapeutic use
  • Infusions, Intravenous
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Taxoids / administration & dosage
  • Taxoids / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
  • Histamine H1 Antagonists
  • Taxoids
  • Docetaxel
  • Hydrocortisone