In a nutshell
This article investigated the long-term safety and effectiveness of autologous breast reconstruction (ABR; uses tissue from another place on your body to form a breast shape) on women after breast removal for invasive breast cancer. The authors concluded that this treatment is safe and had no effect on relapse rate.
Some background
ABR after mastectomy for breast cancer has been increasingly in demand by breast cancer patients. It allows the transfer of the patient’s own tissue (skin, fat, muscle) with minimal scarring. However, there are concerns whether the patient has tiny remnants of cancer cells left over after breast removal. These may then be disturbed by the ABR surgery causing cancer to spread (metastasis).
It is unknown if ABR has any effect on distant metastasis in patients with breast removal surgery after invasive breast cancer.
Methods & findings
This study involved 2326 patients with invasive breast cancer. 485 patients underwent mastectomy with ABR and 1841 patients had a mastectomy only. Patients were followed up for an average of 68 months. The relapse rates and timing of metastasis were evaluated.
During follow up, there was no significant difference in relapse risk between the two groups. There was no increase in early metastases in earlier follow-ups compared with late follow-ups.
The bottom line
The authors concluded that autologous breast reconstruction is safe and resulted in acceptable long term outcomes after breast removal surgery.
The fine print
This study looked back at data from medical records. This type of study is not the best level of evidence.
Published By :
BMC cancer
Date :
Oct 20, 2018
