Impact of preoperative versus postoperative chemotherapy on the extent and number of surgical procedures in patients treated in randomized clinical trials for breast cancer.

Objective: To determine the effect of preoperative chemotherapy on the volume of tissue excised and the number of breast operations in patients undergoing breast-conserving therapy (BCT).

Summary Background Data: Preoperative chemotherapy is increasingly being used for breast cancer and increases rates of BCT. Its impact on the extent of surgery and the number of surgical procedures in BCT has never been fully defined.

The effect of ethnicity on immediate reconstruction rates after mastectomy for breast cancer.

Background: Multiple factors may influence whether patients undergo immediate breast reconstruction along with mastectomy for breast cancer. The authors investigated whether ethnicity was an independent predictor of immediate breast reconstruction.

Methods: The authors identified 1004 patients who underwent mastectomy for breast cancer during the period 2001-2002.