Research Article

Clinical outcomes of mastectomy in frail or systemically untreated T4 breast cancer patients: a single-center real-world study

Volume: 8 Number: 5 September 11, 2026

Clinical outcomes of mastectomy in frail or systemically untreated T4 breast cancer patients: a single-center real-world study

Abstract

Aims: The optimal management of frail patients with T4 breast cancer who are unable to tolerate standard systemic therapy remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of mastectomy in frail patients with T4 breast cancer who were unable to receive systemic therapy using real-world data. Methods: This retrospective analysis of institutional records included 27 patients who underwent mastectomy for clinical T4 breast cancer at the surgical oncology department of a tertiary referral center between October 2022 and December 2025. Patients who could not receive systemic therapy because of advanced age and/or significant comorbidities, or who developed uncontrollable local complications during neoadjuvant therapy, were included. Clinicopathological characteristics, postoperative complications, reoperations, local recurrence, and overall survival (OS) were retrospectively evaluated. OS was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: The mean age was 69.6±15.9 years (median, 74 years). Surgery was performed because systemic therapy was not tolerated in 66.7% of patients, whereas 33.3% underwent surgery for local complications developing during neoadjuvant therapy. The overall postoperative complication rate was 44.4%, most commonly seroma (14.8%), surgical site infection (11.1%), and major wound dehiscence (11.1%). Reoperation was required in three patients (11.1%). Negative surgical margins were achieved in 74.1% of cases, local recurrence occurred in 11.1%, and median OS was 20.0 months (95% CI, 14.3-25.7 months). Conclusion: Mastectomy is an effective option for local control and palliation in selected frail patients with T4 breast cancer. Although postoperative complications are relatively common, most can be managed conservatively, and local recurrence rates remain low.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

None

Ethical Statement

Ethics Committee Approval: This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Ankara Etlik City Hospital (Approval No: AEŞH-BADEK2-2026-294). Informed Consent: Because the study was designed retrospectively, written informed consent was not obtained from the patients.

Thanks

none

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

General Surgery

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

September 11, 2026

Submission Date

June 23, 2026

Acceptance Date

July 19, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 8 Number: 5

APA
Sağdıç, M. F., Aydın, F., Kültüroğlu, M. O., Aslan, F., Tekeş, F., Albayrak, Ö., Aksel, B., & Doğan, L. (2026). Clinical outcomes of mastectomy in frail or systemically untreated T4 breast cancer patients: a single-center real-world study. Anatolian Current Medical Journal, 8(5), 892-897. https://doi.org/10.38053/acmj.1977634
AMA
1.Sağdıç MF, Aydın F, Kültüroğlu MO, et al. Clinical outcomes of mastectomy in frail or systemically untreated T4 breast cancer patients: a single-center real-world study. Anatolian Curr Med J / ACMJ / acmj. 2026;8(5):892-897. doi:10.38053/acmj.1977634
Chicago
Sağdıç, Mehmet Furkan, Ferit Aydın, Mahmut Onur Kültüroğlu, et al. 2026. “Clinical Outcomes of Mastectomy in Frail or Systemically Untreated T4 Breast Cancer Patients: A Single-Center Real-World Study”. Anatolian Current Medical Journal 8 (5): 892-97. https://doi.org/10.38053/acmj.1977634.
EndNote
Sağdıç MF, Aydın F, Kültüroğlu MO, Aslan F, Tekeş F, Albayrak Ö, Aksel B, Doğan L (September 1, 2026) Clinical outcomes of mastectomy in frail or systemically untreated T4 breast cancer patients: a single-center real-world study. Anatolian Current Medical Journal 8 5 892–897.
IEEE
[1]M. F. Sağdıç et al., “Clinical outcomes of mastectomy in frail or systemically untreated T4 breast cancer patients: a single-center real-world study”, Anatolian Curr Med J / ACMJ / acmj, vol. 8, no. 5, pp. 892–897, Sept. 2026, doi: 10.38053/acmj.1977634.
ISNAD
Sağdıç, Mehmet Furkan - Aydın, Ferit - Kültüroğlu, Mahmut Onur - Aslan, Fatih - Tekeş, Fırat - Albayrak, Özhan - Aksel, Bülent - Doğan, Lütfi. “Clinical Outcomes of Mastectomy in Frail or Systemically Untreated T4 Breast Cancer Patients: A Single-Center Real-World Study”. Anatolian Current Medical Journal 8/5 (September 1, 2026): 892-897. https://doi.org/10.38053/acmj.1977634.
JAMA
1.Sağdıç MF, Aydın F, Kültüroğlu MO, Aslan F, Tekeş F, Albayrak Ö, Aksel B, Doğan L. Clinical outcomes of mastectomy in frail or systemically untreated T4 breast cancer patients: a single-center real-world study. Anatolian Curr Med J / ACMJ / acmj. 2026;8:892–897.
MLA
Sağdıç, Mehmet Furkan, et al. “Clinical Outcomes of Mastectomy in Frail or Systemically Untreated T4 Breast Cancer Patients: A Single-Center Real-World Study”. Anatolian Current Medical Journal, vol. 8, no. 5, Sept. 2026, pp. 892-7, doi:10.38053/acmj.1977634.
Vancouver
1.Mehmet Furkan Sağdıç, Ferit Aydın, Mahmut Onur Kültüroğlu, Fatih Aslan, Fırat Tekeş, Özhan Albayrak, Bülent Aksel, Lütfi Doğan. Clinical outcomes of mastectomy in frail or systemically untreated T4 breast cancer patients: a single-center real-world study. Anatolian Curr Med J / ACMJ / acmj. 2026 Sep. 1;8(5):892-7. doi:10.38053/acmj.1977634

 

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