Breast Cancer Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Breast Cancer, including details on symptoms, genetics, screening, treatment, information.

Beauty and the beast: management of breast cancer after plastic surgery.

Bleicher RJ, Topham NS, Morrow M

Department of Surgical Oncology, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19111, USA. richard.bleicher@fccc.edu

OBJECTIVES: Cosmetic surgery procedures increase in incidence annually, with 11 million performed in 2006. Because breast cancer is the most frequently occurring malignancy in women, a personal history of cosmetic surgery in those undergoing treatment for breast cancer is becoming more common. METHODS: This review identified key studies from the PubMed database, to consolidate existing data related to treatment of breast cancer after plastic surgery. Data were reviewed for factors affecting breast cancer treatment after breast augmentation, breast reduction, abdominoplasty, and suction lipectomy. RESULTS: There are little comprehensive data on the management of breast cancer after plastic surgical procedures. Plastic surgery may affect diagnostic imaging, surgical options, and radiotherapy management. Breast augmentation and reduction are two of the most common cosmetic procedures performed and knowledge of their influence on the incidence, diagnosis, and treatment of breast cancer is important for proper management. CONCLUSIONS: Plastic surgery does not significantly affect breast cancer outcomes but does present management challenges that must be anticipated when deciding various treatment options. Knowledge of the existing literature may be helpful in discussing those options with patients and planning the multidisciplinary approach to this malignancy.

Published 24 April 2008 in Ann Surg, 247(4): 680-6.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2004-2008 Breast Cancer Research Today. All Rights Reserved.