Endovascular Embolization was Useful for Treating Tumor Bleeding in Breast Cancer with Ulceration of the Skin —A Case Report—

Abstract

A 55-year-old female patient had been aware of a tumor in her left breast for one year, but had not consulted a doctor. She presented at the hospital with bleeding from the tumor. A 15-cm fungating mass was found in the left C region. The patient also had severe anemia. A needle biopsy was performed on the left breast mass, and the patient was diagnosed with breast cancer. Since no clear distant metastases were observed, we administered preoperative chemotherapy. However, it was difficult to continue this chemotherapy regimen owing to continued bleeding from the tumor. We performed an endovascular embolization to achieve hemostasis. An embolization was performed on the branches of the axillary, lateral thoracic, and internal thoracic arteries. This stopped the bleeding from the tumor, and the tumor shrank. A total mastectomy with a skin graft was performed after preoperative chemotherapy. Postoperative chemotherapy and radiotherapy were administered successfully. In this case, endovascular embolization was useful for resolving the tumor bleed.