Application of a simple skin flap to repair large defects in a patient with radiotherapy‑induced skin squamous cell carcinoma after breast cancer surgery: A case report

Radiotherapy is a leading treatment intervention for cancer and has been shown to improve the prognosis of patients with malignant tumors. However, there are several side effects associated with radiotherapy that require attention. The present case study describes the case of a patient who underwent breast-conserving surgery after receiving a diagnosis of right-sided breast cancer, following which they received conventional radiation therapy. A skin nodule was found on the right side of the breast 3 years later, which was pathologically confirmed to be a highly differentiated skin squamous cell carcinoma after surgical local excision. The patient presented with poor skin healing 2 months after the operation, and a myocutaneous flap of the descending branches of the thoracodorsal vessels was used to repair the defect and improve the breast shape. Although skin cancer induced by radiotherapy is relatively rare, physicians should remain cautious when treating skin injuries after radiotherapy, and recovery should be closely monitored. For patients with skin nodules after radiotherapy, a biopsy should be performed as early as possible to clarify the diagnosis and to develop appropriate treatment programs. For such skin cancer patients who have received radiotherapy in the past, it is necessary to consider the potential radiotherapy-related skin injuries they may have suffered after previous radiotherapy, the skin flap should be comprehensively evaluated before the operation and an appropriate surgical method should be selected to reduce the necessity of a second operation.