Postsurgical Pyoderma Gangrenosum in a Breast Cancer Patient: A Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract

Pyoderma gangrenosum is a rare skin necrotizing disease that can arise on a site of surgical trauma. Its pathogenesis has recently been related to dysregulation of the immune system, with inflammatory bowel disease representing the most commonly underlying systemic conditions. Several authors have also reported an association with solid malignancies (especially gastrointestinal and breast cancer). We describe the case of a 39-year-old patient diagnosed with a locally advanced, triple-negative breast cancer who developed a pyoderma gangrenosum on the surgical wound after a CVC implant with systemic complications. As the diagnosis and management of postsurgical pyoderma gangrenosum can be challenging for clinicians, underlying conditions as autoimmune disease and solid tumors have to be considered in order to guide treatment.