Prophylactic mastectomy and hereditary breast cancer

In the female population, breast cancer is the most common malignant disease. Breast cancers caused by mutations in the BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 genes are responsible for up to 10% of all cases. With advances in genetics, there is the possibility of identifying women at high risk of developing breast cancer. These women receive assistance in the form of genetic counseling, psychological support, and surgical treatments to reduce their risk of developing breast cancer. Prophylactic mastectomy can be performed as a skin-sparing mastectomy, a skin and nipples sparing mastectomy, and a simple mastectomy, which involves the complete removal of the parenchyma, skin, and nipples of both breasts. In the same act as the prophylactic mastectomy, breast reconstruction can be performed as either a primary reconstruction within the same surgical act or as a separate surgical procedure, in which case it is referred to as secondary reconstruction. Artificial material implants are predominantly used today due to their superior aesthetic results, faster healing, and smaller scars. Such surgeries can lead to various postoperative issues, including infection, hematoma, and seroma formation, while capsular contracture, implant rupture, and anaplastic large cell lymphoma have all been linked to the use of artificial implants.