The oncological implications of immediate breast reconstruction

Aims. The timing of breast reconstruction following mastectomy has been an area of contention. The purpose of this study was to report the oncologic safety of mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction, primarily with a tissue expander. Methods. We offered 54 patients (58 reconstructions) an immediate breast reconstruction after a modified radical mastectomy was done for invasive breast cancer. Results. Fifty-eight mastectomies were done for an invasive cancer. Thirteen out of 54 women suffered relapse of their cancer and nine patients died of their disease during the follow-up period. Only in one patient a local recurrence was detected at an early stage and treated without removal of the prosthesis. Disease free survival for all patients was 93% at 5 years. Conclusion. Immediate breast reconstruction after mastectomy is an oncologically safe approach and represents a clear improvement in the quality of life for patients with breast cancer. Thus this procedure can safely be offered to appropriately selected women. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.