Prophylactic mastectomy: who needs it, when and why

J Surg Oncol. 2015 Jan;111(1):91-5. doi: 10.1002/jso.23695. Epub 2014 Jun 25.

Abstract

Prophylactic mastectomy generally occurs in two different patient populations: (1) high-risk women without breast cancer who undergo bilateral prophylactic mastectomy (BPM) to reduce their risk of developing breast cancer and (2) women with unilateral breast cancer who choose contralateral prophylactic mastectomy (CPM) to prevent cancer in the contralateral breast. The purpose of this article is to review the indications, outcomes, and trends in the use of BPM and CPM.

Keywords: breast cancer; mastectomy; risk reduction.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Breast Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Breast Neoplasms / prevention & control
  • Breast Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Mastectomy*
  • Prophylactic Surgical Procedures*