ABSTRACT
Multifocal multicentric breast cancer has traditionally been considered a contraindication to breast conserving surgery because of concerns regarding locoregional control and risk of disease recurrence. However, the evidence supporting this practice is limited. Increasingly, many breast surgeons are advocating breast conservation in selected cases. This short narrative review summarises current evidence on the role of surgery in multifocal multicentric breast cancer and shows that when technically feasible the option of breast conservation is oncologically safe.
Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms/secondary , Mastectomy/methods , Breast Neoplasms/mortality , Clinical Decision-Making , Epidemiologic Methods , Feasibility Studies , Female , Humans , Mastectomy/mortality , Mastectomy, Segmental/methods , Mastectomy, Segmental/mortality , Practice Patterns, Physicians' , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
Cancer is a heterogeneous disease with wide-ranging subsets of patients who have different prognoses and who respond differently to treatments. Accordingly, deciding the best treatment strategy has become a priority in cancer care. The development of microarray technology over the last decade has caused great excitement, with the promise that these new tools may provide molecular signatures to help predict patient outcome and direct therapeutic approaches. Here, we describe the different types of microarrays available and discuss their pros and cons from a clinical perspective, with respect to breast cancer.