Surgery – Breast Tumors

Surgery – Breast Tumors

Breast cancer patients who undergo nipple-sparing mastectomy have a low risk of disease recurrence within the first 5 years after surgery (according to new findings published online in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons – July 24, 2017).

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Of the 311 patients who underwent this type of surgery, the recurrence rate at follow-up over 51 months was 5.5%, with no recurrences in the preserved nipple or the surrounding areola. Survival was 95.7% at 3 years and 92.3% at 5 years.

The recurrence rate in this study is similar to the recurrence rate after standard mastectomies. Retrospective cohort studies have shown no significant difference in local or distant recurrences between the two types of surgery.

The technique used at the institute leaves only the nipple and areola, with little or no glandular and ductal tissue beneath the areola and nipple.

Cosmetically, it looks much better and allows for improved reconstruction options, simplifies the reconstruction technique, and avoids skin expanders.

The procedure is becoming increasingly accepted, especially as evidence grows that it is safe, and it will become more widespread as women push for it. (This is similar to the time when women began asking about lumpectomy when mastectomy was the standard).