Radiation-induced morphea

Although the aetiology of morphea often remains unknown,various precipitating causes have been identified. Morphea is a rare development following irradiation. We observed a circumscribed scleroderma 14 years after x-ray-radiotherapy following surgery of breast cancer. Furthermore multiple weeping papules occured within the radiation area. A relapse of the breast cancer was ruled out by histological examination which displayed a transepidermal elimination of acid mucin. The irradiation had obviously induced different reactions of the dermal fibroblasts (radiodermatitis, morphea, mucin production).