A case of necrotizing fasciitis caused by group G streptococcus following a single dose of dose-dense doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide in a breast cancer patient.

Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a rapidly progressive and life-threatening soft tissue infection. Although it is known to occur in immunocompromised patients, NF following a single dose of chemotherapy has rarely been reported. We describe a 53-year-old woman with hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer and newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus who developed NF eight days after receiving her first cycle of dose-dense doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide. Initially mistaken for a drug eruption, her condition deteriorated rapidly despite surgical intervention and intensive care. She died of septic shock, and Group G Streptococcus was identified from blood cultures. This case highlights the need to consider NF in post-chemotherapy patients presenting with erythema and systemic symptoms, even after a single dose, particularly when risk factors such as diabetes and obesity are present. Prompt recognition and intervention remain essential to improve survival.
Diabetes
Cancer
Diabetes type 2
Care/Management

Authors

Ajitomi Ajitomi, Ozaki Ozaki, Tayama Tayama, Kido Kido, Murao Murao, Yoshida Yoshida, Asakura Asakura, Sawano Sawano, Kurokawa Kurokawa, Gonda Gonda, Nashimoto Nashimoto, Wada Wada, Tachibana Tachibana, Koyama Koyama, Shimmura Shimmura
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