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Updated: Aug 15, 2026
Endoscopic Bilateral Nipple-sparing Mastectomy via a Single Axillary Incision with Immediate Pre-pectoral Implant-based Breast Reconstruction
Published on: May 17, 2024
Determinants of mastectomy in breast conservation therapy candidates
Waddah Al-Refaie1, Henry M Kuerer, Alam Khuwaja
1Department of Surgical Oncology, Unit 444, University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX 77030, USA.
Background:
Although underused, breast conservation therapy (BCT) is an accepted method for treatment of noninvasive and early breast cancer. The purpose of this analysis was to identify factors associated with receiving mastectomy when eligible for BCT.
Methods:
From a recent experience, 397 patients at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center presented with clinical stage 0, I, or II breast cancer. Demographics and tumor characteristics of patients who underwent BCT versus mastectomy were compared.
Results:
Of 293 BCT candidates, 203 patients (69%) underwent BCT and 90 patients (31%) received a mastectomy. Of those 90 patients, 66 patients (73%) had documented concerns about receiving BCT. Multivariate analyses showed that widow status was a factor associated with receiving mastectomy at presentation (P = .04).
Conclusions:
The majority of BCT candidates with early stage breast cancer undergo BCT. In our study, widow status was a predictive factor of mastectomy in BCT candidates.
