Leonie A E Woerdeman1, Jan B J Kortmann, J Joris Hage. 1. Amsterdam, The Netherlands From the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, The Netherlands Cancer Institute-Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Routine histologic examination of secondarily excised mastectomy scars is considered good practice, even though the microscopic detection of a metastasis in clinically unsuspected mastectomy scars is rare. Because cost-effective use of histologic services is required, the occurrence rate of metastases in such scars needs to be established to assess the possible benefit of such routine examination. METHODS: The histologic observations on 728 clinically unsuspected scars from prophylactic (n = 151) or curative (n = 395) mastectomy or breast-conservation treatment in 424 patients were traced and correlated to the indication of initial breast surgery, possible adjuvant therapy, and time lapse between initial surgery and scar examination. RESULTS: In none of the 728 scars was a scar metastasis or de novo tumor found. CONCLUSIONS: Routine histologic examination of clinically unsuspected scars excised at the time of breast reconstruction or scar correction after prophylactic or curative breast surgery did not benefit the authors' patients.
BACKGROUND: Routine histologic examination of secondarily excised mastectomy scars is considered good practice, even though the microscopic detection of a metastasis in clinically unsuspected mastectomy scars is rare. Because cost-effective use of histologic services is required, the occurrence rate of metastases in such scars needs to be established to assess the possible benefit of such routine examination. METHODS: The histologic observations on 728 clinically unsuspected scars from prophylactic (n = 151) or curative (n = 395) mastectomy or breast-conservation treatment in 424 patients were traced and correlated to the indication of initial breast surgery, possible adjuvant therapy, and time lapse between initial surgery and scar examination. RESULTS: In none of the 728 scars was a scar metastasis or de novo tumor found. CONCLUSIONS: Routine histologic examination of clinically unsuspected scars excised at the time of breast reconstruction or scar correction after prophylactic or curative breast surgery did not benefit the authors' patients.
Authors: Rend Al-Khalili; Ali Alzeer; Giang-Kimthi Nguyen; Erin P Crane; Judy H Song; Janice L Jeon; Michael Nellamattathil; Erini V Makariou; Victoria L Mango Journal: Radiographics Date: 2021-05-14 Impact factor: 6.312