Radiation-induced pemphigus in a patient with an invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast: a case report

Abstract

Abstract A 72-year-old woman with a known history of breast cancer was treated with adjuvant external beam radiation therapy. She initially developed radiation field localized blistering and erosions of the skin, before developing more widespread lesions. Immunofluorescence confirmed pemphigus vulgaris, which was responsive to corticosteroids. Pemphigus vulgaris is an autoimmune blistering disease of the skin that can rarely be associated with exposure to ionizing radiation.