Fat necrosis of the breast: an unusual complication of lumpectomy and radiotherapy in breast cancer. Review of literature and report of four new cases.

Fat necrosis of the breast following excision and radiotherapy in early breast cancer is a newly recognised complication. Further to the nine cases reported so far, another four cases are described. Clinically it is difficult to differentiate between areas of local recurrence and fat necrosis. Therefore, the diagnosis must be only made on histological material. The aetiology, incidence and treatment of this condition is discussed.