Clinical Factors of Clarke et al Affecting the Cosmetic Result in a Woman with Stage I or II Breast Cancer Treated by Biopsy and Irradiation

 

Factors affecting the outcome:

(1) significant loss of breast tissue, leaving a large biopsy cavity

(2) an incision that was poorly planned for cosmesis

(3) extensive axillary dissection

(4) high doses of radiation (>= 250 rad per day), with fractions of 180-200 rads per day giving better results

(5) large breast size (D cup size or larger)

(6) obesity (body weight > 161 pounds)

(7) tumor size >= 4 cm (variable risk)

 

Incisions giving acceptable cosmesis:

(1) circumareolar incision for central lesions

(2) incision parallel to Langer's lines in the upper quadrants

(3) radial incision in the lower quadrants