Surgery of the chest wall for involvement by breast cancer

Thorac Surg Clin. 2010 Nov;20(4):509-17. doi: 10.1016/j.thorsurg.2010.09.001.

Abstract

Chest wall involvement by breast cancer remains a difficult clinical challenge that may occur at the time of the primary diagnosis or later as a result of locoregional breast cancer recurrence. A case-by-case multidisciplinary approach is strongly recommended, and a multimodality therapy should be always considered. Full-thickness resection of the chest wall can be done with acceptable morbidity and mortality, providing a good palliation and a better quality of life even to patients with poor prognosis. Moreover, in well-selected cases, chest wall resection results in locoregional control of disease and prolongation of life.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Breast Neoplasms / mortality
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lymph Node Excision
  • Lymphatic Metastasis
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Plastic Surgery Procedures
  • Prognosis
  • Survival Analysis
  • Thoracic Wall / pathology*
  • Thoracic Wall / surgery