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Breast reconstruction - series - Indication, part 2

Indication, part 2:

Breast removal (mastectomy) is performed most frequently for cancer of the breast. Occasionally in patients with a strong family history of breast cancer and genetic abnormalities that predispose them to breast cancer, bilateral prophylactic mastectomies are performed to prevent the future occurrence of breast cancer.

Reviewed last on: 2/26/2009
James Lee, MD, Department of Surgery, Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, New York, NY. Review Provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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