Breast retraction assessment. Multiple variable analysis of factors responsible for cosmetic retraction in patients treated conservatively for stage I or II breast carcinoma.

A method for objective evaluation of cosmetic outcome of patients treated conservatively for breast carcinoma allowed the location of the nipples on two coordinates. The method was applied in 41 patients, 5 to 41 months following the completion of radiation therapy. Multiple variable analysis revealed that extensiveness of resection of the primary breast tumor was the major factor associated with breast retraction. The only other factor of significance was patient age at diagnosis. Neither the radiation therapy parameters, the use of adjuvant chemotherapy, nor any other analyzed factor was found to be associated with cosmetic breast retraction.