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A close or positive margin after mastectomy is not an indication for chest wall irradiation except in women aged fifty or younger.

INTRODUCTION: Indications for postmastectomy radiation include primary tumor size > or = 5 cm and/or > or = 4 positive axillary nodes. In clinical practice, patients with a close or positive margin after mastectomy are also often treated with postmastectomy radiation. However, there is little data regarding the risk of a chest wall recurrence in patients with close or positive margins who otherwise would be considered low risk (tumor size <5 cm and/or 0-3 positive nodes). To address this issue, we assessed the risk of a chest wall recurrence in women with Stage I-II breast cancer who underwent mastectomy and were found to have primary tumor size <5 cm and 0-3 positive nodes with a close or positive deep margin. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The pathologic reports from 789 patients treated by mastectomy between 1985 and 1994 at our institution were retrospectively reviewed. Of these, 136 (17%) had tumor within 1 cm of the deep resection margin. The study population consists of 34 of these patients with close or positive margins whose primary tumor size was <5 cm with 0-3 positive axillary nodes and who received no postoperative radiation. The median age was 43 years (range 29-76). Of these, 44% had T1 tumors and 56% T2 tumors. Pathologic axillary nodal status was negative in 65% and positive in 35%. The median number of positive nodes was 1. The deep margin was positive in 2 patients, < or = 2 mm in 17 patients, 2.1-4 mm in 7 patients and 4.1-6 mm in 8 patients. Of the 34 patients, 67% received adjuvant chemotherapy +/- tamoxifen and 21% received tamoxifen alone. The median follow-up was 59 months (range 7-143). RESULTS: There were 5 chest wall recurrences at a median interval of 26 months (range 7-127). One was an isolated first failure, one occurred concurrent with an axillary recurrence, and three were associated with distant metastases. The 5- and 8-year cumulative incidences of a chest wall recurrence were 9% and 18%. Patient age correlated with the cumulative incidence of chest wall recurrence at 8 years; age < or = 50 years had a rate of 28% vs. 0% for age >50 (p = 0.04). There was no correlation with chest wall failure and number of positive nodes, ER status, lymphovascular invasion, location of primary, grade, family history, or type of tumor close to the margin. Of 5 chest wall failures, 4 were in patients who had received adjuvant systemic chemotherapy +/- tamoxifen. Chest wall failures occurred in 1 patient with a positive deep margin, 3 patients with margins within 2 mm, and 1 patient with a margin of 5 mm. The estimated cumulative incidence probability of chest wall recurrence at 8 years by margin proximity was 24% < or = 2 mm vs. 7% 2.1-6 mm (p = 0.36), and by clinical size 24% for T2 tumors vs. 7% for T1 (p = 0.98). CONCLUSIONS: A close or positive margin is uncommon (< or = 5%) after mastectomy in patients with tumor size <5 cm and 0-3 positive axillary nodes but, when present, it appears to be in a younger patient population. The subgroup of patients aged 50 or younger with clinical T1-T2 tumor size and 0-3 positive nodes who have a close (< or = 5 mm) or positive mastectomy margin are at high risk (28% at 8 years) for chest wall recurrence regardless of adjuvant systemic therapy and, therefore, should be considered for postmastectomy radiation.

Adult↗

Esthetic reconstruction after mastectomy for inflammatory breast cancer: is it worthwhile?

BACKGROUND: Because inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) has been viewed as a malignancy with a poor likelihood of longterm survival, few women have been offered esthetic reconstruction after mastectomy for IBC. Recent advances in multimodality therapy have improved the outcomes for women with this disease. The purpose of this review was to assess the results of esthetic breast reconstruction in the population with IBC. STUDY DESIGN: Review of medical records at the City of Hope National Medical Center for the 10-year period ending in May 1997, revealed 23 women who underwent elective esthetic breast reconstruction after mastectomy for IBC. The records of these patients were reviewed retrospectively. Patients requiring reconstruction for large surgical chest wall defects were not included in the review. RESULTS: Treatment for IBC included mastectomy in all patients, chemotherapy in 22, and chest wall radiation therapy in 14. Immediate reconstruction was performed at the time of mastectomy (n = 14) or was delayed (n = 9). The types of reconstruction included transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap (n = 18), latissimus dorsi flap (n = 2), or prosthetic mammary implant reconstruction (n = 3). Seven women chose to undergo additional reconstruction procedures (ie, nipple reconstruction) after their initial reconstruction. With a median followup of 44 months for survivors, 16 patients developed recurrence after reconstruction. Of these, 6 were local recurrences and 10 were distant failures. Seven patients are currently alive with no evidence of disease, 4 are currently alive with disease, and 12 have died as a result of breast cancer. The median disease-free survival after reconstruction was 19 months. The median overall survival after reconstruction for all patients was 22 months. The only negative predictor of survival was a positive surgical margin at mastectomy. CONCLUSIONS: The significant emotional and esthetic benefits of breast reconstruction should be available to women with IBC. In light of the improving prognosis of IBC with current aggressive multimodality treatment, reconstructive procedures should be offered as part of comprehensive therapy.

Adult↗

The impact of mastectomy, breast-conserving treatment and immediate breast reconstruction on the quality of life of Chinese women.

BACKGROUND: The psychosocial impact of breast surgery has been extensively studied in the Western population. There is a relative paucity of comparable data in Oriental women who are increasingly affected by cancer of the breast. The present study investigates the effects that different types of breast surgery have on the quality of life of Chinese women. METHODS: Forty-nine Chinese women with early breast cancer were interviewed at 6 months-2 years following their primary surgery (breast-conserving treatment (BCT, 17 patients), mastectomy (15 patients) and mastectomy with immediate breast reconstruction (17 patients)). Aspects of quality of life measured included general psychological well-being, body image, sexual functioning and social functioning. RESULTS: Patients who received BCT had significantly better body image scores compared to mastectomy patients. They were less worried about their appearance, had more freedom in the choice of clothing, felt less upset by the change in their body and felt more accepted by their partners. The three groups did not differ significantly in the other aspects of quality of life measured. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to mastectomy or mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction, the most significant benefit of BCT is the preservation of a better body image.

Adult↗

Utility of four-quadrant random sections in mastectomy specimens.

Standard practice in surgical pathology dictates that random sections from the four quadrants of the breast be taken in mastectomy specimens. These sections are obtained in addition to sampling of any grossly visible lesions within the breast specimen. While tradition dictates the submission of these sections, we are unaware of any study supporting their efficacy. We have investigated the utility and significance of these random sections in a series of 78 mastectomy specimens. This retrospective study identified mastectomy specimens from pathology files of Magee Woman's Hospital, the University of Pittsburgh, and the University of Utah School of Medicine between 1997 and 2000. Clinical data (palpable versus nonpalpable), radiographic features (mammographic diagnosis, presence of mass density and/or calcification), and pathologic features (size, histopathologic type, etc.) were studied. The histologic sections of the cases were reviewed and the random sections were specifically studied for pathologic findings. Diagnosis and clinically significant features obtained from examining these random sections, but not demonstrable in grossly selected sections, were tabulated. A total of 78 mastectomy specimens were analyzed. Diagnoses rendered were infiltrating ductal carcinoma (23), infiltrating ductal carcinoma with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) (16), DCIS (25), infiltrating lobular carcinoma (4), biopsy cavity with no residual malignancy (4), infiltrating lobular carcinoma with lobular carcinoma in situ (3), invasive ductal and lobular carcinoma (1), adenoid cystic carcinoma (1), and atypical ductal hyperplasia (1). The number of random sections ranged from 2 to 17 (mean 9). Random sections provided additional information in 21 of 78 mastectomies (27%). The multifocal/multicentric nature of the lesion was diagnosed in 20 cases: DCIS (6), lobular carcinoma in situ and invasive (2), invasive ductal carcinoma (6), invasive and in situ ductal carcinoma (5), invasive lobular carcinoma (1), invasive ductal and lobular carcinoma (1). Additional findings include lymphovascular invasion (2 cases), atypical ductal hyperplasia (1), DCIS at the operative margin (1), DCIS within less than 1 mm of an operative margin (1), and atypical lobular hyperplasia (1). In the remaining 57 cases, random sections did not provide any additional information. Histologic examination of random sections from breast quadrants yielded important information about the presence of multifocality, multicentricity, vascular invasion, and margin involvement by carcinoma in only a minority of cases, many of which had a lobular morphology.

Biopsy↗

[Skin sparing mastectomy with autologous immediate reconstruction: oncological risks and aesthetic results].

OBJECTIVE: Is the oncological safety of skin sparing mastectomy (SSM) with immediate autologous reconstruction and improved aesthetic results comparable to postoperative findings in patients treated with modified radical mastectomy (MRM)? MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty patients with T1-2 breast carcinomas and contraindications for breast conserving therapy were treated by SSM and compared to 81 patients of the same age groups and MRM with regard to oncological and aesthetic data. In 33 (55%) patients the nipple areola complex (NAC) could be spared. For autologous tissue TRAM- and Latissimus dorsi-flaps were used. The mean follow-up was 40 (range 20-71) months. RESULTS: The observed local recurrence rates were not significantly different (p = 0.443) after SSM (n = 3; 5.0%) or MRM (n = 5; 6.2%). Distant metastases and death were seen in 26.7% and 15.0% (SSM), respectively, and in 25.9% and 13.5% (MRM), respectively. Body mass index, operation time and postoperative haemoglobin concentration differed between both groups significantly (p < 0.001) but not the rate of complications (p = 0.232). Aesthetic results of SSM were judged as excellent or good in 90.0% of patients and in 83.4% of surgeons. Nine patients (11.1%) underwent a secondary breast reconstruction after MRM. Furthermore, 12 (14.8%) patients with MRM would prefer a SSM with immediate reconstruction in a similar situation. CONCLUSION: Skin-sparing mastectomy improves aesthetic results to a high degree without increasing of local or distant recurrence rates. Skin-sparing mastectomy should be offered to selected patients with breast cancer as an alternative to modified radical mastectomy.

Adult↗

[Problems and limits of mammographic cancer diagnosis. Comparison of preoperative radiologic diagnosis with histologic findings in 335 patients with subcutaneous mastectomy].

Subcutaneous mastectomy was performed in 335 patients between 1974 and 1982. In 265 of these, original mammographies were available which were analysed retrospectively and compared with the final histological finding of the subcutaneous mastectomy preparation. The rate of newly discovered non-invasive carcinomas in this was 11%, whereas the rate of invasive carcinomas was 8%. Radiological criteria: high degree of dysplasia, difficult assessment and mastopathy associated with large cysts, are associated with a significantly increased number of malignant histological findings. The radiological criteria of mastopathy, such as adenosis, fibrosis, indurating oedema of stroma, small-cyst mastopathy, as well as parenchymal patterns according to Wolfe, are not important with regard to our group of patients in respect of further selection of risk patients. Criteria of malignancy which are typical of carcinoma, are on the whole rarely recognised, because their assessment is often difficult. In patients with preceding carcinoma of the other breast, indication for subcutaneous mastectomy in case of "unclear" mammography has proved justified: In 4 out of 18 cases, a non-invasive or invasive carcinoma was found. Indication for primary subcutaneous mastectomy was too liberal in case mammography had been assessed as "benign", for the carcinoma rate was only 1/73. In radiologically "unclear" findings, the number of subsequently discovered non-invasive and invasive carcinomas was distinctly higher (in each case 6 out of 58). In such cases an attempt should be made to confirm preoperative diagnosis by means of additive measures before performing subcutaneous mastectomy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Decision analysis--effects of prophylactic mastectomy and oophorectomy on life expectancy among women with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations.

BACKGROUND: Women with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations have an increased risk of breast cancer and ovarian cancer. Prophylactic mastectomy and oophorectomy are often considered as ways of reducing these risks, but the effect of the procedures on life expectancy has not been established. METHODS: In a decision analysis, we compared prophylactic mastectomy and prophylactic oophorectomy with no prophylactic surgery among women who carry mutations in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene. We used available data about the incidence of cancer, the prognosis for women with cancer, and the efficacy of prophylactic mastectomy and oophorectomy in preventing breast and ovarian cancer to estimate the effects of these interventions on life expectancy among women with different levels of risk of cancer. RESULTS: We calculated that, on average, 30-year-old women who carry BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations gain from 2.9 to 5.3 years of life expectancy from prophylactic mastectomy and from 0.3 to 1.7 years of life expectancy from prophylactic oophorectomy, depending on their cumulative risk of cancer. Gains in life expectancy decline with age at the time of prophylactic surgery and are minimal for 60-year-old women. Among 30-year-old women, oophorectomy may be delayed 10 years with little loss of life expectancy. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of a range of estimates of the incidence of cancer, prognosis, and efficacy of prophylactic surgery, our model suggests that prophylactic mastectomy provides substantial gains in life expectancy and prophylactic oophorectomy more limited gains for young women with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations.

Adult↗

Mastectomy and oophorectomy by menstrual cycle phase in women with operable breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: It is unclear whether the phase of the menstrual cycle in which primary surgical treatment occurs influences disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) in premenopausal women with breast cancer. We investigated this question in the context of a clinical trial comparing mastectomy alone with mastectomy plus adjuvant oophorectomy and tamoxifen in premenopausal women with operable breast cancer. METHODS: The date of the first day of the last menstrual period (LMP) was used to estimate the phase of the menstrual cycle when the surgeries were done. Follicular phase was defined as day 1-14 from LMP. Luteal phase was defined as day 15-42 from LMP. DFS and OS statistics were determined and analyzed by Cox proportional hazards ratios and Kaplan-Meier methods. All statistical tests were two-sided. RESULTS: We analyzed results for 565 women who reported an LMP within 42 days before surgery. For women in the mastectomy only arm (n = 289), there were no differences in DFS or OS by menstrual cycle phase. For women in the adjuvant treatment arm (n = 276), those whose surgery occurred during the luteal phase (n = 158) had better DFS (relative risk [RR] = 0.54; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.32 to 0.96; P =.02) and OS (RR = 0.53; 95% CI = 0.30 to 0.95; P =.03) than those whose surgery occurred during the follicular phase (n = 118). Moreover, women whose surgery occurred during the luteal phase and who received adjuvant therapy had better 5-year DFS than did women whose surgery occurred during the follicular phase (84%; 95% CI = 78% to 90% versus 67%; 95% CI = 58% to 78%; P =.02); they also had better OS (85%; 95% CI = 78% to 92% versus 75%; 95% CI = 66% to 84%; P =.03). CONCLUSIONS: The phase of the menstrual cycle at which surgery was done had no impact on survival for women who received mastectomy only. However, women who received a mastectomy and surgical oophorectomy and tamoxifen during the luteal phase had better outcomes than women who received surgery during the follicular phase.

Adult↗

Reconstruction of breasts following mastectomy with polyurethane-covered, gel-filled prostheses.

This article describes a simple, one-stage procedure to reconstruct breasts following radical and subcutaneous mastectomy by using subcutaneous placement of Natural-Y prostheses (polyurethane-covered, gel-filled implants with an internal Y-shaped septum). Breast reconstruction after mastectomy or immediately following subcutaneous mastectomy was performed in 36 patients using 62 Natural-Y prostheses. All patients still had implants in place six months to five years later. Neither spherical capsular contractures, infection, nor skin necrosis developed around any implants. Transfer of pedicle flaps was not required in any patient and the reconstructive procedures resulted in minimal scarring. Wrinkling of skin and a palpable implant edge in the superior quadrant were noticeable in some breast reconstructions following subcutaneous mastectomy but rarely in breasts reconstructed following mastectomy because the taut skin conformed to the implant.

Breast↗

Two-staged breast reconstruction in patients with symptomatic macromastia requiring mastectomy.

Patients with symptomatic macromastia undergoing mastectomy for the treatment of malignant breast disease are candidates for a two-staged operation resulting in breast reconstruction and contralateral breast reduction. Five patients with symptomatic macromastia underwent a skin-sparing mastectomy for breast disease using a modified Wise incision. The first stage of the breast reconstruction was performed with a de-epithelialized transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM) flap. Second-stage breast reconstruction was conducted 4 to 6 months later when revision of the TRAM reconstructed breast and concurrent contralateral breast reduction were performed with the intent of tailoring the reduced breast to approximate the revised TRAM breast mound. Excess areola from the reduced breast was harvested and used as a full-thickness graft to reconstruct the TRAM areola complex. Patients followed for 5 to 30 months postoperatively confirm resolution of macromastia symptoms, correction of the mastectomy defect, and symmetrical breast mound creation in a timely two-staged procedure. The two-staged breast reconstruction described represents an expedient plan for patients with symptomatic macromastia requiring mastectomy for breast disease. Skin-sparing mastectomy, modified Wise pattern incisions, utilization of usually discarded areola tissue, and creation of symmetrical breast mounds during the second stage of the reconstruction highlight the salient features of this patient management paradigm.

Adult↗

Economic impact of reducing hospitalization for mastectomy patients.

In 1985, two policies designed to reduce hospitalization charges for mastectomy patients were instituted at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center at Houston. The first was a policy of "same-day" admissions for elective surgery patients, and the second was early postoperative discharge for mastectomy patients with suction catheter drains in place. The economic savings resulting from these policies was analyzed by comparing demographics, operation, stage of disease, hospital stay, hospital charges, and complications for two groups of patients. Fifty-nine consecutive mastectomy patients treated between 1983 and 1984, before these policy changes, had "standard management" consisting of hospital admission 24 hours before surgery and discharge only after the surgical drains were removed. Sixty-one consecutive mastectomy patients treated between 1986 and 1987, after these policy changes went into effect, were admitted from the recovery room after surgery and were discharged with drainage catheters in place, usually within 72 hours. All operations were performed by the same faculty surgeon as a representative experience of the General Surgery faculty. The average hospital stay was reduced from 10.5 to 4.3 days. A mean 39% reduction in hospital charges (from $4867.00 to $2981.00) was achieved by instituting the policies of "same-day" admission and early postoperative discharge with drainage catheters in place. Complication rates were not changed. Implementation of this policy resulted in an estimated savings of $750,000.00 in the hospital care of approximately 400 patients treated at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center at Houston each year. Adjustments in patient care delivery systems from a predominantly inpatient to an outpatient setting required changes in outpatient nursing responsibilities (although not in new personnel). Patient education and written instructions for home care of surgical wounds and drainage catheters were essential for implementing an early discharge policy. With these facts in mind, hospital admission on the day of operation and early postoperative discharge with drainage catheters in place should be the goal for most mastectomy patients.

Cancer Care Facilities↗

Psychological effects of mastectomy on a woman's feminine self-concept.

Previous literature on mastectomy indicates that the operation may be perceived by the patient as a threat to her feminity. Accordingly, the present study attempted to measure changes in body image, self-concept, and total self-image in mastectomy patients and two control groups (biopsy and surgical controls). Patients were given a questionnaire measuring the concepts in question three times: 1 day before surgery; 6 days after surgery; and 6 to 11 months later. There were distinctly different patterns of results for the three groups. Mastectomy patients did indeed evince a decline in body image and total self-image, but not until months after surgery. This was not unexpected in light of previous findings of massive denial in mastectomy patients. Immediately after surgery, this denial would be at its strongest, and it is feasible that it would take some months of reality testing until the denial is no longer a necessary defense. Biopsy patients showed a decline in body image and total self-image immediately after surgery, when their denial was no longer needed. Surgical control patients showed little overall change. Thus, mastectomy patients do appear to react to the operation with a decline in self-image, although this does not appear until some time after the operation.

Adult↗

Nipple-sparing total mastectomy of large breasts: the role of tissue expansion.

Nipple-sparing total mastectomy remains an alternative for management of patients with high risk breast disease or patients with various types of symptomatic breast problems. In a patient with large breasts, however, achieving good cosmesis while still performing a thorough mastectomy remains a challenge. This report includes 10 patients who underwent unilateral nipple-sparing total mastectomy and 10 patients who underwent bilateral nipple-sparing total mastectomy. Tissue expansion was used as the reconstructive technique in this consecutive series done from 1985 through 1988. All expanders were placed in the submuscular position, and hyperbaric oxygen was used when intraoperative fluorescein administration identified marginally perfused areas. The average volume of breast tissue removed was 800 gm. The average permanent implant size was 767 cc. Complications included partial skin or nipple loss, infection, and problems related to the implants themselves. The complication rate, however, was not excessive, and results have been good as measured by cosmetic results, capsule grade, and lack of development of cancer in operated breasts. This reconstructive technique is recommended as an alternative in those patients undergoing nipple-sparing total mastectomy.

Adult↗

Role of simple mastectomy in treating patients with breast cancer.

From 1945 to 1971, 473 patients had simple mastectomies as the primary treatment for their breast cancer (421 had either a simple mastectomy alone [26%], a simple mastectomy followed by postoperative radiation therapy [64%], or preoperative irradiation followed by simple mastectomy [10%]). More than one half of these patients were "inoperable" by standard surgical criteria. The local recurrence rate was 24%, which compares favorably with the reported 48% local recurrence rate for "inoperable" patients treated by radical mastectomy. These recurrences were on the chest wall in two thirds of the patients and in the regional lymph nodes of the other third. No statistical differences in survival or recurrence rate could be correlated with the site of the primary cancers in the breasts or among the three treatment groups.

Breast Neoplasms↗

Mastodynia refractory to medical therapy: is there a role for mastectomy and breast reconstruction?

BACKGROUND: Mastodynia is among the most frequently reported symptoms in women with breast complaints; it is usually classified as cyclic, noncyclic, or nonbreast in origin. A useful response with medical or conservative therapy is obtained in the majority of these patients. There is a subset of patients, however, who have exhausted every medical effort and psychiatric counseling and will desire mastectomy with breast reconstruction in the hope of alleviating their chronic pain. METHODS: Three patients with noncyclical, bilateral mastodynia referred for breast reconstruction options from December of 2000 to March of 2004 are presented in this article. Daily breast pain charts with a visual analogue scale for pain assessment were analyzed and recorded for all patients throughout the study period. RESULTS: Two patients underwent delayed reconstruction and had complete resolution of pain 6 to 8 weeks after bilateral mastectomy, with no recurrence of mastalgia after reconstruction. One patient underwent bilateral mastectomy with immediate reconstruction and achieved complete resolution of her pain 3 months postoperatively. Histopathologic findings of all breast specimens revealed benign breast tissue with proliferative breast disease consistent with mastodynia. CONCLUSIONS: This modality, which includes mastectomy with or without reconstruction, is a viable alternative after exhaustion of all other nonsurgical options and when quality of life is significantly affected. Although mastectomy for the treatment of mastodynia refractory to medical therapy does not guarantee alleviation of chronic breast pain, it should be considered in these often desperate patients.

Adult↗

Breast cancer local recurrence after mastectomy and TRAM flap reconstruction: incidence and treatment options.

BACKGROUND: The transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM) flap is the standard in autologous breast reconstruction. The management of local recurrence of breast cancer after TRAM flap breast reconstruction has not been well described. The purpose of this study was to examine the incidence of local recurrence of breast cancer after TRAM flap breast reconstruction, evaluate treatment modalities, and determine outcomes in such cases. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted of all patients who underwent immediate breast reconstruction with a free or pedicled TRAM flap over a 15-year period. Those patients who experienced local breast cancer recurrence were identified. A subset of complete skin-sparing mastectomy patients was also identified for review. RESULTS: From 1987 to 2002, 419 TRAM flap breast reconstructions were performed in 395 patients. Thirty-four (9 percent) were complete skin-sparing mastectomy using a periareolar mastectomy incision only. The mean follow-up time in this study was 4.9 years (range, 1 to 14.7 years). Local recurrence occurred in 16 of 419 patients (3.8 percent), with a mean time to local recurrence of 1.6 years (range, 0.2 to 7.0 years). There were no local recurrences seen in patients following complete skin-sparing mastectomy. Treatment of local recurrence included excision, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and bone marrow transplant. Only three of the 16 patients (19 percent) required removal of the entire TRAM flap to manage local breast cancer recurrence. Nine of 16 patients (56 percent) with local recurrence died of disease at a mean of 1.2 years after the development of recurrence. CONCLUSION: Long-term follow-up demonstrated a local recurrence rate after TRAM flap breast reconstruction similar to that reported in the literature. Local recurrence was effectively managed with surgical excision of the involved tissues, chemotherapy, and/or radiation therapy. Removal of the entire TRAM flap was only necessary in the setting of multifocal recurrence or involvement of the flap pedicle with disease. The risk of local recurrence was not increased following complete skin-sparing mastectomy.

Adult↗

Areola-sparing mastectomy with immediate breast reconstruction.

Skin-sparing mastectomy with immediate breast reconstruction is a proved option for patients with early-stage breast cancer requiring mastectomy. Based on the authors' recent pathologic analysis of mastectomy specimens showing less than 1% malignant involvement of the areola, they have begun to perform areola-sparing mastectomies (ASMs) on a select group of patients. They report their results from an ongoing study of ASM at their institution. During a 20-month period, 17 ASMs with immediate reconstruction were performed on 12 patients. Mastectomy was performed for breast cancer prophylaxis (n = 10), ductal carcinoma in situ (n = 4), and less than 2 cm of peripheral infiltrating carcinoma (n = 3). The most frequent incision performed was intraareola (n = 13). Thirteen patients were reconstructed with tissue expanders and 4 with pedicled transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flaps. There was 1 postoperative complication, which consisted of a localized wound infection. Overall the authors found that ASM with immediate reconstruction provides excellent aesthetic results with infrequent complications.

Adult↗

Mastectomy scar histopathology of limited clinical value.

This study assesses whether the routine submission of mastectomy scars for histologic examination at the time of delayed breast reconstruction is useful. A retrospective review was performed of all delayed breast reconstructions for breast cancer performed by a single surgeon over a 5-year period from January 2000 to December 2004. One hundred eighty-eight patients underwent delayed breast reconstruction during this period, and of these, 133 scars (1 patient had bilateral scars excised) were submitted for histology where the reconstruction was performed by either transversus rectus abdominus muscle flap (TRAM) or latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap (LDF) +/- implant. Fifty-six patients had reconstruction performed by tissue expander through the inframammary crease where the original mastectomy scar was not excised and were excluded from the study. One mastectomy scar specimen showed a 2-mm suspicious area of invasive ductal carcinoma consistent with same histopathology at the time of mastectomy. This study corroborates evidence that it is questionable whether routine histopathology of mastectomy scar at the time of delayed breast reconstruction should not be a standard practice.

Breast Neoplasms↗