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Busting the Contralateral Prophylactic Mastectomy Myth: Incidence of Follow-up Imaging and Biopsy After Risk-Reductive Breast Surgery

  • Hot Topics in Breast Cancer (K Hunt, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Contralateral prophylactic mastectomy (CPM) at the time of unilateral breast cancer surgery is increasing, though still controversial in BRCA(−) patients. We review the relevant literature regarding CPM and specifically abnormal imaging/biopsies in patients following unilateral mastectomy (UM) versus CPM and present results from our own retrospective chart review.

Recent Findings

A large cohort study by van la Parra et al. examined the incidence/risk of breast biopsy at follow-up, finding the 5-year estimated biopsy rate to be the lowest for UM compared to breast-conserving surgery. Our retrospective series, similar to others, did not find a significant difference in imaging/biopsies between UM and CPM groups.

Summary

Current literature regarding imaging/biopsies after CPM is sparse. Recent publications suggest that the incidence of abnormal imaging or biopsy is not reduced in women undergoing bilateral mastectomies for treatment of unilateral breast cancer.

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Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, 12901 Bruce B. Downs Blvd, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA

    Steven R. DeBiase

  2. Comprehensive Breast Program, Moffitt Cancer Center, 10920 N. McKinley Drive, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA

    Weihong Sun, Christine Laronga & Marie Catherine Lee

  3. Department of Biostatistics, Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, 12902 Magnolia Drive Tampa, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA

    David Boulware

Authors
  1. Steven R. DeBiase
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  2. Weihong Sun
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  3. David Boulware
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  4. Christine Laronga
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  5. Marie Catherine Lee
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Contributions

Steven DeBiase was involved in data acquisition, analysis, writing, and edits. Weihong Sun was involved in data acquisition, interpretation, revision, and final review. David Boulware was involved in statistical analysis and review. Christine Laronga was involved in data acquisition, interpretation, revision, and final review. Marie Catherine Lee was involved in study design, data collection, review of results, and revision and editing of manuscript.

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Correspondence to Marie Catherine Lee.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Hot Topics in Breast Cancer

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DeBiase, S.R., Sun, W., Boulware, D. et al. Busting the Contralateral Prophylactic Mastectomy Myth: Incidence of Follow-up Imaging and Biopsy After Risk-Reductive Breast Surgery. Curr Breast Cancer Rep 11, 347–352 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12609-019-00338-y

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