Skin Cancer Patient Relapses After Delayed Treatment

ByWendy Ketner, M.D.

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Updated onApril 11, 2019

Skin Cancer Patient Relapses After Delayed Treatment

This case involves a 45-year-old female patient who had a biopsy done of a growth on her neck. The specimen was described as basal cell carcinoma but the patient’s mass was not surgically resected at the time of diagnosis. Two months later, the patient saw significant growth in the area and consulted another pathologist for a second opinion. The pathologist diagnosed the patient’s chest mass as advanced hidradenocarcinoma, which required immediate surgical intervention. Following removal of the tumor, the patient did not respond positively to her radiation or chemotherapy treatment. She eventually relapsed and succumbed to her cancer. A radiation oncologist was sought to review the records and determine whether the delay in initiating radiation therapy might have affected prognosis.

Question(s) For Expert Witness

1. Have you ever treated hidradenocarcinoma?

3. How important is the timely initiation of radiation therapy post surgery for hidradenocarcimona?

Expert Witness Response E-007207

inline imageI regularly use irradiation therapies to treat a variety of skin carcinomas, both rare and common. Hidradenocarcinoma is an extremely rare variant of skin cancer. Additionally, I have published peer-reviewed work on the application of irradiation treatments to skin carcinomas. Even if irradiation is recommended, there is no form of skin cancer for which surgical intervention is not within the standard of care. I am surprised that the patient's mass was not surgically resected at the initial diagnosis. I would be happy to review the medical records related to this case in order to understand the course of irradiation treatment that the patient underwent, the duration of the treatment, and any indicators that might have appeared during treatment that would require a reconsideration of the patient's treatment regime or diagnosis.

About the author

Wendy Ketner, M.D.

Wendy Ketner, M.D.

Dr. Wendy Ketner is a distinguished medical professional with a comprehensive background in surgery and medical research. Currently serving as the Senior Vice President of Medical Affairs at the Expert Institute, she plays a pivotal role in overseeing the organization's most important client relationships. Dr. Ketner's extensive surgical training was completed at Mount Sinai Beth Israel, where she gained hands-on experience in various general surgery procedures, including hernia repairs, cholecystectomies, appendectomies, mastectomies for breast cancer, breast reconstruction, surgical oncology, vascular surgery, and colorectal surgery. She also provided care in the surgical intensive care unit.

Her research interests have focused on post-mastectomy reconstruction and the surgical treatment of gastric cancer, including co-authoring a textbook chapter on the subject. Additionally, she has contributed to research on the percutaneous delivery of stem cells following myocardial infarction.

Dr. Ketner's educational background includes a Bachelor's degree from Yale University in Latin American Studies and a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) from SUNY Downstate College of Medicine. Moreover, she is a member of the Board of Advisors for Opollo Technologies, a fintech healthcare AI company, contributing her medical expertise to enhance healthcare technology solutions. Her role at Expert Institute involves leveraging her medical knowledge to provide insights into legal cases, underscoring her unique blend of medical and legal acumen.

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