Cellulitis Associated with an Oral Source of Infection in Breast Cancer Patients: Report of Two Cases

Abstract

We present 2 patients with prior lumpectomy, axillary node dissection and radiation therapy for treatment of breast cancer, who subsequently developed arm and chest cellulitis associated with an oral infection (gingivitis with bacteremia in one patient, and dental abscess in another). Our findings suggest that hematogeneous seeding of the compromised extremity and/or breast from the oral cavity should be considered as a possible cause of cellulitis in breast cancer patients.