Postirradiation Morphea

Abstract

: Postirradiation morphea is a rare complication of radiation therapy which often presents as an erythematous indurated plaque and may be mistaken for recurrent or metastatic carcinoma. Histologic examination is essential for distinguishing postirradiation morphea from malignant processes and from other types of radiation dermatitis and infectious cellulitis. We report a case of postirradiation morphea and review the postirradiation morphea literature. In addition, we summarize the clinical and histopathologic characteristics of the various forms of postirradiation skin disease, including postirradiation morphea; acute, subacute, and chronic radiation dermatitis; and radiation recall dermatitis.