Metastatic breast cancer 42 years after bilateral subcutaneous mastectomies

Subcutaneous mastectomy has a possible role as prophylaxis in patients at high risk of developing breast cancer. A case history is presented of a woman who developed metastatic breast carcinoma 42 years after bilateral subcutaneous mastectomies for non-malignant disease. This case is presented to draw attention to the persistent risk of developing breast cancer even decades after subcutaneous mastectomy and to point out that the role of such surgery in preventing breast cancer has still not been clarified. The appropriateness of prophylactic mastectomy for an individual is better assessed on the absolute risk of breast cancer developing over a defined period rather than the relative risk.