Aesthetic results following partial mastectomy and radiation therapy

Journal Article · Tue May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1990 · Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1097/00006534-199005000-00014· OSTI ID:6833545

Matory, Jr, W E; Wertheimer, M; Fitzgerald, T J; Walton, R L; Love, S; Matory, W E

This study was undertaken to determine the aesthetic changes inherent in partial mastectomy followed by radiation therapy in the treatment of stage I and stage II breast cancer. A retrospective analysis of breast cancer patients treated according to the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast Project Protocol B-06 was undertaken in 57 patients from 1984 to the present. The size of mastectomy varied between 2 x 1 cm and 15 x 8 cm. Objective aesthetic outcome, as determined by physical and photographic examination, was influenced primarily by surgical technique as opposed to the effects of radiation. These technical factors included orientation of resections, breast size relative to size of resection, location of tumor, and extent and orientation of axillary dissection. Regarding cosmesis, 80 percent of patients treated in this study judged their result to be excellent or good, in comparison to 50 percent excellent or good as judged by the plastic surgeon. Only 10 percent would consider mastectomy with reconstruction for contralateral disease. Asymmetry and contour abnormalities are far more common than noted in the radiation therapy literature. Patients satisfaction with lumpectomy and radiation, however, is very high. This satisfaction is not necessarily based on objective criteria defining aesthetic parameters, but is strongly influenced by retainment of the breast as an original body part.

• OSTI ID: 6833545
• Journal Information: Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery; (USA), Journal Name: Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery; (USA) Vol. 85:5; ISSN PRSUA; ISSN 0032-1052
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550600 -- Medicine
560151* -- Radiation Effects on Animals-- Man
62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
BIOLOGICAL RECOVERY
BODY
DISEASES
DOSES
FEMALES
FIBROSIS
GLANDS
HEALING
INJURIES
MAMMARY GLANDS
MEDICINE
NEOPLASMS
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
ORGANS
PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES
PATIENTS
POST-IRRADIATION EXAMINATION
RADIATION DOSES
RADIOLOGY
RADIOTHERAPY
RECOVERY
SURGERY
THERAPY
WOUNDS