Perioperative Management of Women Undergoing Risk-Reducing Surgery for Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer

Publication date: Available online 19 September 2018Source: Journal of Minimally Invasive GynecologyAuthor(s): Mariam M. AlHilli, Zahraa Al-HilliAbstractCarriers of genetic mutations that predispose to cancer syndromes are often faced with complex decisions. For women with hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) in particular, the decision to undergo risk-reducing mastectomy (RRM) or bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (BSO) is burdensome from a physical and psychological perspective. Although risk reducing surgery is the most effective preventative measure in reducing a genetic mutation carrier's risk of breast or ovarian cancer, the success of these procedures requires a multi-disciplinary approach that centers on careful counseling regarding the risks and benefits of risk reducing surgery. The physical and psychological distress associated with risk-reducing surgery often makes a combined surgical approach attractive to some patients. In this review, we present the evidence surrounding the comprehensive surgical care of women with HBOC syndromes and evaluate the perioperative factors that influence surgical management.
Source: Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology - Category: OBGYN Source Type: research