The influence of reduction mammaplasty techniques in synchronous breast cancer diagnosis and metachronous breast cancer prevention

BACKGROUND: Although reduction mammaplasty (RM) is a well-described technique for cosmetic objectives, there are few reports regarding its bilateral application combined with oncologic breast surgery in patients with breast cancer. The purpose of this study is to analyze the role of RM in the contralateral breast (CB) synchronous cancer (SBC) incidence, the impact in risk reduction for metachronous breast cancer (MBC), the disease-free period, and overall survival METHODS: Patients were divided into 2 groups; group I: 114 pts submitted to oncologic surgery associated with immediate CB RM. Group II: 135 pts without CB RM. Mean time of follow-up was 51.5 months for both groups. Data regarding age, tumor size, histologic type and grade, clinical stage, and adjuvant therapy were collected RESULTS: Except for the CB RM, no differences were observed between the groups. In group I, the diagnosis of an occult, synchronic, and invasive carcinoma was noted in 1.8%, in situ in 2.6%, and MBC in 1.8%. In group II, MBC was observed in 6.7%. No difference was observed between the 2 groups (P = 0.062). The initiation of adjuvant therapy, the disease-free period, and overall survival were not influenced by the CB RM. CONCLUSION: CB RM is a reliable technique providing an opportunity for diagnosis of an occult SBC. There is evidence of reduction of MBC; however, a larger number of patients are necessary for significant conclusions. The technique should be considered in combination with immediate breast reconstruction. Success depends on patient selection and careful intraoperative management.