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Local recurrence of stage 1 and 2 breast cancer after skin-sparing mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction in a 15-year series.

Meretoja TJ, von Smitten KA, Leidenius MH, Svarvar C, Heikkilä PS, Jahkola TA

Department of Plastic Surgery, Helsinki University Central Hospital, P.O. Box 266, FI-00029 HUS, Helsinki, Finland. tuomo.meretoja@utu.fi

AIMS: Since the introduction of skin-sparing mastectomy (SSM) in 1991 concerns on local control and recurrence rates have been discussed in the literature. The aim of this study is to examine in particular incidence of local recurrence in a 15-year consecutive series of breast cancer patients having undergone SSM and immediate breast reconstruction (IBR) at a single population-based institution. METHODS: One hundred and forty-six consecutive patients with either stage 1 or 2 breast cancer who underwent SSM followed by IBR from 1992 to 2006 were included in this study. A retrospective review of patient records was conducted. RESULTS: During a mean follow-up time of 51 months, four local recurrences of the native breast skin were accounted for. In addition, three regional lymph node recurrences and four systemic recurrences took place. All of the local and regional recurrences were handled by salvage surgery followed by adjuvant oncological therapies. During a mean follow-up of 35 months after the detection and treatment of the locoregional recurrences none of the patients developed new recurrences. CONCLUSIONS: Our present study concludes that SSM followed by IBR seems oncologically sound procedure for stage 1 and 2 breast cancer patients. In addition, local recurrences and regional lymph node recurrences are not always associated with systemic relapse.

Published 20 November 2007 in Eur J Surg Oncol, 33(10): 1142-5.
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