PRESENTATION, TREATMENT, AND OUTCOME OF LOCAL RECURRENCE AFTER SKIN-SPARING MASTECTOMY AND IMMEDIATE BREAST RECONSTRUCTION

Background: The local recurrence (LR) rate with skin-sparing mastectom y (SSM) and immediate breast reconstruction (IBR) has been reported as comparable to the LR rate after conventional mastectomy. However, lim ited data are available on the prognostic significance and management of LR following SSM. Methods: A prospective database maintained at the University of Texas hi. D. Anderson Cancer Center identified 437 SSMs performed for 372 invasive T1/T2 breast cancers between 1986 and 1993 . Results: Twenty-three LRs were identified, with a LR rate of 6.2% (2 3/372). Twenty-two of these (96%) presented as palpable skin-flap mass es. The median time to recurrence was 25 months (range, 3 to 98 months ). Fourteen patients were treated with a combination of surgery and sy stemic therapy. Resection of the reconstructed breast was performed in only three patients. Complete local control of the recurrent disease was achieved in 17 patients (74%). Nine patients (39%) developed dista nt metastatic disease. At a median follow-up of 26 months, 14 of 23 pa tients (61%) are alive without evidence of disease, and 7 (30%) have d ied from breast cancer. Conclusions: Because LR rate with SSM is low a nd likelihood of local control and survival is high, SSM and IBR is an acceptable treatment option for early stage breast cancer.