title: Breast-conserving surgery for breast cancer.
abstract: Surgical treatment of breast cancer has changed significantly in recent years. Fine-needle aspirations or core-needle biopsies can be used in the diagnostic process, thus avoiding scarring incisions. The preferred method of treatment for many women with early breast cancer is conservative surgical therapy (principally lumpectomy and axillary dissection) followed by breast irradiation. Sentinel node biopsy is being investigated as an alternative to standard axillary node dissection. This could decrease morbidity following standard axillary dissection. These techniques allow women with different forms of breast cancer to conserve their breasts. For women who choose mastectomy, immediate reconstruction of the breast is now routinely performed with a prosthetic implant or autologous tissue. Clinical history, physical examination, and breast imaging are the most effective means of follow-up.
authors.affiliation: Division of General Surgery, Finch University of Health Sciences/The Chicago Medical School, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, USA. . lapantaku@aol.com
authors.forename: Lecia M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Apantaku
mesh_terms: D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D002278:Carcinoma in Situ / Q000601:surgery*; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D015412:Mastectomy, Segmental / Q000379:methods*; D018579:Patient Selection; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D021701:Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy