BREAST-CANCER RECURRENCE IN A PATIENT WITH A PREVIOUS HISTORY OF RADIATION-INJURY OF THE BRACHIAL-PLEXUS - A CASE-REPORT

Brachial plexus injury with resultant pain and attendant impairment ma y occur in cancer patients from either disease recurrence or as a cons equence of radiation therapy. Distinguishing between these two causes of plexus dysfunction may be difficult, but physical findings and appr opriate workup may assist in diagnosis. Additionally, lymphedema may b e seen as a result of surgical, radiation, or combination therapy for breast cancer. Patients typically present with arm swelling, but neuro logical impairment, including pain, may also be noted. This case repor t describes an individual who developed pain and weakness, initially f rom radiation injury, and later developed local disease recurrence. (C ) 1995 by the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine and the Ame rican Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation