Home → Symptoms & Diagnosis → Types of Breast Cancer → Ask-the-Expert Conferences: Types of Breast Cancer → October 2006: Inflammatory Breast Cancer → Mastectomy when metastatic?

Mastectomy when metastatic?

Page last modified on: October 13, 2008

Question from Fiona: Is mastectomy done even when the cancer has spread to, say, the bones?: Answer —Gabriel Hortobagyi, M.D., F.A.C.P.: In general terms, the standard of care today is that when metastases are present at the time of diagnosis of the primary, then no definitive surgery is performed on the primary unless there is a need to control a bleeding, ulcerated breast for quality-of-life purposes. In recent years, the question has been raised whether removing the breast in the presence of metastasis might favorably affect survival. There is interest in addressing that through additional research and there is at least one ongoing clinical trial outside the United States looking at that, but it is not considered a standard procedure nor is there definitive evidence that it helps. There are no trials currently in the U.S. But there has been some skepticism in the medical community, so there is no trial ongoing or planned for this issue.

On Wednesday, October 18, 2006, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Inflammatory Breast Cancer. Gabriel Hortobagyi, M.D., Thomas Buchholz, M.D., and moderator Jennifer Sabol, M.D. answered your questions about inflammatory breast cancer, a rare but aggressive form of breast cancer.

The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.

A production of LiveWorld, Inc.
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.

Email Updates

Stay informed about current research, online events, and more.

Visit our Gift Shop!

Shop Now »

Meet the Experts

Gabriel N. Hortobagyi, M.D., F.A.C.P. chairs the department of breast medical oncology and directs the Breast Cancer Research Program at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, where he also serves as professor of medicine and holds the Nellie B. Connally Chair in Breast Cancer.

Thomas A. Buchholz, M.D. is professor of radiation oncology at The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. Dr. Buchholz' research includes the role of radiation treatment in preventing breast cancer recurrence and whether certain genes may be able to predict how breast cancer responds to treatment.

Jennifer Sabol, M.D., F.A.C.S. is a breast surgeon who directs the newly developed Breast Care Center at Lankenau Hospital in Wynnewood, Pa. Among her many interests, Dr. Sabol spearheads several research initiatives to advance the care for women with breast cancer and improve methods of breast cancer detection and treatment.