Our results suggest that in breast cancer patients, SSM was not significantly different from NSSM, in terms of rates of local recurrence. As no randomized control trial has addressed this question to date, the present meta-analysis reports the best evidence on the subject.

Both procedures were equally effective as treatment options for colonic Crohn's disease however, patients in the SC group exhibited recurrence earlier than those in the IRA group. The choice of operation is dependent on the extent of colonic disease, with a trend towards better outcomes with IRA for two or more colonic segments involved. Since no prospective randomised study has been undertaken, a clear view about which approach is more suitable for localised colonic Crohn's disease cannot be obtained.

In situ cancer may not be as rare as previously reported among patients with MBC. Increased patient awareness and early assessment by a specialist is a key to early diagnosis and improved outcomes.