Lethal tetanus infection following cytotoxic chemotherapy for advanced breast cancer

Main Article Content

Wen-Cheng Liu
Guo-Shiou Liao
Jyh-Cherng Yu
Ming-Shen Dai

Keywords

Tetanus, Breast cancer, Pathological complete remission, Immunization

Abstract

Tetanus is rarely seen in developed countries where there is therefore less awareness in clinical practice. Necrotic breast tumors may provide a portal of entry for serious tetanus infection. We report on a patient who acquired devastating tetanus infection from necrotic tumor following cytotoxic chemotherapy; we also review similar cases in the literature. Clinical awareness, timely treatment, and proper tetanus vaccination before surgical excision, debridement, or cytotoxic chemotherapy might be necessary to prevent this catastrophe.

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