title: Alternative medicine for management of breast masses: more harm than good.
abstract: CASE SERIES.
  
  
  METHODS
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  METHODS
  Breast cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
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  METHODS
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  METHODS
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  METHODS
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  OBJECTIVE
  Diagnostic/therapeutic accidents.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Several well-established, evidence-based treatment modalities are currently available and widely applied to breast cancer patients, but it is known that some of the cancer patients use traditional/alternative medicine other than their treatments.
  
  
  METHODS
  Herein, we report the cases of 2 middle-aged women (45 and 50 years old) with malignant breast masses who experienced serious complications in response to self-prescribed use of alternative medicine practices to treat their condition in lieu of evidence-based medical treatment. Specifically, the use and/or inappropriate application of alternative medical approaches promoted the progression of malignant fungating lesions in the breast for these 2 patients. The first patient sought medical assistance upon development of a fungating lesion 7∼8 cm in diameter and involving 1/3 of the breast, with a palpable mass of 5×6 cm immediately beneath the wound. The second patient sought medical assistance upon development of a wide, bleeding, ulcerous area with patchy necrotic tissue that comprised 2/3 of the breast and had a 10×6 cm palpable mass under the affected area. Use of some non-evidence-based medical treatments as complementary to evidence-based medical treatments may benefit the patient on an emotional level; however, this strategy should be used with caution, as the non-evidence-based therapies may cause physical harm or even counteract the evidence-based treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A malignant, fungating wound is a serious complication of advanced breast cancer. It is critical that the public is informed about the potential problems of self-treating wounds such as breast ulcers and masses. Additionally, campaigns are needed to increase awareness of the risks and life-threatening potential of using non-evidence-based medical therapies exclusively.
authors: Department of Surgery, Diyarbakir Education and Research Hospital, Diyarbakir, Turkey.
authors: Sami
authors: S
authors: Akbulut
authors: Department of Surgery, Diyarbakir Education and Research Hospital, Diyarbakir, Turkey.
authors: Yusuf
authors: Y
authors: Yagmur
authors: Department of Surgery, Diyarbakir Education and Research Hospital, Diyarbakir, Turkey.
authors: Serdar
authors: S
authors: Gumus
authors: Department of Surgery, Diyarbakir Education and Research Hospital, Diyarbakir, Turkey.
authors: Mehmet
authors: M
authors: Babur
authors: Department of Surgery, Diyarbakir Education and Research Hospital, Diyarbakir, Turkey.
authors: Mehmet Ali
authors: MA
authors: Can
mesh_terms: D001706:Biopsy; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D044584:Carcinoma, Ductal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography
keywords: Breast Neoplasms; Inflammatory Breast Neoplasms