Management of breast cancer: basic principles

Abstract The incidence of breast cancer in the UK is rising yet the mortality from the disease is falling. This has been achieved through earlier diagnosis and improved treatment. The former can partially be achieved through rapid access referral, accurate triple assessment and multidisciplinary man...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Surgery (Oxford) 2007-06, Vol.25 (6), p.261-263
Main Authors: Shokuhi, Sheila, Parker, S.J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
axillary surgery
breast cancer
breast-conserving surgery
mastectomy
Surgery
triple assessment
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Summary:Abstract The incidence of breast cancer in the UK is rising yet the mortality from the disease is falling. This has been achieved through earlier diagnosis and improved treatment. The former can partially be achieved through rapid access referral, accurate triple assessment and multidisciplinary management of potential breast cancer patients; surgery is appropriate for most patients. An increasing proportion of patients are being offered breast-conserving surgery, with its reduced psychological morbidity and often very acceptable cosmetic outcome. Immediate or delayed reconstruction is increasingly available for women who require mastectomy. Axillary staging is required to obtain prognostic information and gain control of locoregional disease; this can be achieved with a reduced risk of complications using sentinel lymph node biopsy. Long-term control of disease can often be achieved with primary hormonal therapy in very elderly patients who are unfit for surgery. Surgery may be possible after neoadjuvant chemotherapy of hormonal treatment in patients with large, locally advanced or inoperable tumours.
ISSN:0263-9319
1878-1764
DOI:10.1016/j.mpsur.2007.05.008