[Radiation-induced sternal tumors: value of myocutaneous flap of the latissimus dorsi].

Two patients treated by radiotherapy, one 13 years previously for Hodgkin's thymoma and the other 10 years previously for breast cancer, presented with a radiation-induced sternal tumour. The first case had undergone manubriectomy for fibrosarcoma complicated by dehiscence of the skin wound one year prior to referral to our unit: she presented with a haemorrhagic ulcerated recurrence. The lesions were widely excised (skin defect: 13 x 13 cm). The second patient underwent "en bloc" cutaneo-osteomyopericardectomy with omentoplasty onto the pericardium and sternal prosthesis (skin defect: 12 x 7 cm). These tumours are rare, but the radiation-induced skin damage requires wide excision. In both cases, the skin defect was easily repaired by means of a latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap.