[Bilateral breast cancer (BBC). Considerations on a series of 20 cases]

The aim of this study was to assess breast cancer incidence, diagnostic possibilities in clinical treatable stages and the prognosis in a series of breast cancer patients repeatedly treated in the same unit, by the same team. Diagnostic difficulties in the early stage of the contralateral cancer constitute a proven reality even in our cases. The detection of the second metachronous breast tumor was done and evaluated mostly in an more advanced stage than the initial tumours. This might be explained by the delayed visit to the doctor. Most BBC were lobular carcinoma. Adjuvant therapy--chemotherapy, antiestrogens, ovariectomy--do not prevent the appearance of the second tumoral site.