Research Progress of Multifocal/Multicentric Breast Cancer

Abstract

Advances in imaging techniques have allowed an increasing number of multifocal/multicentric breast cancers (MMBC) to be detected at an early stage. Traditionally, MMBC has been considered to have a worse prognosis than unifocal breast cancer(UBC) and should be treated with escalation therapy. With the advancement of medical technology in recent years, the diagnosis, individualized treatment strategies, and the safety of breast-conserving surgery for MMBC need to be re-examined. This paper reviews the epidemiologic features, preoperative imaging assessment, pathological heterogeneity, molecular markers, and surgical approaches of MMBC, so as to deepen the knowledge of clinicians.

Keywords

• multifocal/multicentric breast cancer
• imaging evaluation
• breast conserving therapy
• oncoplasty