For women with early-stage breast cancer, breast-conserving therapy (BCT) including radiation therapy (RT) leads to progressive reduction in breast size over time, reports a study in the April issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery®, the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). The journal is published in the Lippincott portfolio by Wolters Kluwer.
Our findings suggest that women undergoing BCT/RT may lose approximately 20% of breast volume within a year, with continued reductions through five years. Anticipating these changes may help guide patient expectations and assist surgical planning to restore women after breast cancer treatment.”
Chris Reid, MD, University of California San Diego