Project description:PurposeThe goal of this study was to explore the perspectives and practice of radiation oncologists who treat breast cancer patients who have had breast reconstruction.MethodsIn 2010, an original electronic survey was sent to all physician members of the American Society of Radiation Oncology, National Cancer Research Institute-Breast Cancer Studies Group in the United Kingdom, Thai Society of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, Swiss Society of Radiation Oncology, and Turkish Radiation Oncology Society. We identified factors associated with radiation oncologists who treat breast cancer patients with reconstruction performed prior to radiation and obtained information regarding radiation management of the breast reconstruction.Results358 radiation oncologists responded, and 60% of the physicians were from the United States. While 64% of participants agree or strongly agree that breast image affects a woman's quality of life during radiation, 57% feel that reconstruction challenges their ability to deliver effective breast radiation. Compared with other countries, treatment within the United States was associated with a high reconstruction rate (>/= 50% of mastectomy patients) prior to radiation (p < 0.05). Delayed-immediate reconstruction with a temporary tissue expander was more common in the United States than in other countries (52% vs. 23%, p = 0.01). Among physicians who treat patients with tissue expanders, the majority (60%) prefer a moderately inflated implant with 150-250 cc of fluid rather than a completely deflated (13%) or inflated expander (28%) during radiation. Among radiation oncologists who treat reconstructions, 49% never use bolus and 40% never boost a breast reconstruction. United States physicians were more likely than physicians from other countries to boost or bolus the reconstruction irrespective of the type of reconstruction seen in their clinic patients (p < 0.01).ConclusionsGreat variation in practice is evident from our study of radiation treatment for breast cancer patients with reconstruction. Further research on the impact and delivery of radiation to a reconstructed breast may validate some of the observed practices, highlight the variability in treatment practice, and help create a treatment consensus.
Project description:Women undergoing implant-based reconstruction (IBR) after mastectomy for breast cancer have numerous options, including timing of IBR relative to radiation and chemotherapy, implant materials, anatomic planes, and use of human acellular dermal matrices. We conducted a systematic review to evaluate these options.MethodsWe searched Medline, Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL, CINAHL, and ClinicalTrials.gov for studies, from inception to March 23, 2021, without language restriction. We assessed risk of bias and strength of evidence (SoE) using standard methods.ResultsWe screened 15,936 citations. Thirty-six mostly high or moderate risk of bias studies (48,419 patients) met criteria. Timing of IBR before or after radiation may result in comparable physical, psychosocial, and sexual well-being, and satisfaction with breasts (all low SoE), and probably comparable risks of implant failure/loss or explantation (moderate SoE). No studies addressed timing relative to chemotherapy. Silicone and saline implants may result in clinically comparable satisfaction with breasts (low SoE). Whether the implant is in the prepectoral or total submuscular plane may not impact risk of infections (low SoE). Acellular dermal matrix use probably increases the risk of implant failure/loss or need for explant surgery (moderate SoE) and may increase the risk of infections (low SoE). Risks of seroma and unplanned repeat surgeries for revision are probably comparable (moderate SoE), and risk of necrosis may be comparable with or without human acellular dermal matrices (low SoE).ConclusionsEvidence regarding IBR options is mostly of low SoE. New high-quality research is needed, especially for timing, implant materials, and anatomic planes of implant placement.
Project description:AimDemand for nipple- and skin- sparing mastectomy (NSM/SSM) with immediate breast reconstruction (BR) has increased at the same time as indications for post-mastectomy radiation therapy (PMRT) have broadened. The aim of the Oncoplastic Breast Consortium initiative was to address relevant questions arising with this clinically challenging scenario.MethodsA large global panel of oncologic, oncoplastic and reconstructive breast surgeons, patient advocates and radiation oncologists developed recommendations for clinical practice in an iterative process based on the principles of Delphi methodology.ResultsThe panel agreed that surgical technique for NSM/SSM should not be formally modified when PMRT is planned with preference for autologous over implant-based BR due to lower risk of long-term complications and support for immediate and delayed-immediate reconstructive approaches. Nevertheless, it was strongly believed that PMRT is not an absolute contraindication for implant-based or other types of BR, but no specific recommendations regarding implant positioning, use of mesh or timing were made due to absence of high-quality evidence. The panel endorsed use of patient-reported outcomes in clinical practice. It was acknowledged that the shape and size of reconstructed breasts can hinder radiotherapy planning and attention to details of PMRT techniques is important in determining aesthetic outcomes after immediate BR.ConclusionsThe panel endorsed the need for prospective, ideally randomised phase III studies and for surgical and radiation oncology teams to work together for determination of optimal sequencing and techniques for PMRT for each patient in the context of BR.
Project description:BackgroundThis study aimed to describe the locations of local recurrences based on the mastectomy and reconstruction type in breast cancer patients.MethodsIn November 2020, a systematic literature review was performed through MEDLINE/PubMed and the Cochrane Centre Register of Controlled Trials. Publications that included skin-sparing or nipple-sparing mastectomy followed by breast reconstruction and described the location of local recurrences were analyzed. Exclusion criteria included salvage or prophylactic mastectomy, unclear distinction between local and regional recurrences, rare tumor types.ResultsFrom 19 publications, 272 local recurrences lesions were reported in a total of 4,787 patients. After autologous reconstruction (n=2,465), local recurrences were located in the skin in 45 (1.8%) patients, in the chest wall in 18 (0.7%), and in the nipple-areolar complex in 9 (0.4%). After implant reconstruction (n=1,917), local recurrences sites included the skin in 91 (4.7%) patients, chest wall in 8 (0.4%), and nipple-areolar complex in 8 (0.4%). Of the 70 lesions with reported in-breast location, 57 (81.4%) relapsed in the original tumor location.DiscussionAlthough meta-analysis was not conducted, present analysis demonstrated that most local recurrences after skin-sparing or nipple-sparing mastectomy occurred within the skin or subcutaneous tissues. It was found that the original tumor location was the most frequent site of relapse. Therefore, special attention should be paid to the original tumor overlying the skin while planning postmastectomy radiation therapy.
Project description:BackgroundThe BREAST-Q is the most commonly used patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) for breast reconstruction research. However, clinical implementation of this PROM has been impeded by a lack of context for score interpretation. The aim of this study was to define reference values for the BREAST-Q at discrete timepoints following surgery, generating a tool for real-time score interpretation.MethodsBREAST-Q scores were prospectively obtained in women who underwent implant or autologous post-mastectomy breast reconstruction preoperatively and for 2 years following surgery at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK). Descriptive statistics were used to create reference values for BREAST-Q satisfaction and quality-of-life subscales. Reference values were externally validated by comparing patient characteristics and BREAST-Q scores between the MSK and the Mastectomy Reconstruction Outcomes Consortium (MROC) study cohorts.ResultsOverall, 3268 MSK patients and 2814 MROC patients were included for analysis. When MSK and MROC cohorts were compared for validation, there were some statistical differences in BREAST-Q scores; however, most of these differences did not meet the minimal clinically important difference of 4 points. Reference values were used to create the BREAST-Q Real-time Engagement and Communication Tool (REACT).ConclusionsUsing a large cohort of patients, we have defined BREAST-Q reference values for post-mastectomy breast reconstruction patients for use in clinical practice. The BREAST-Q REACT will help breast reconstruction providers gauge patient wellbeing and satisfaction relative to the "average" breast reconstruction patient and determine which patients may benefit from additional intervention.
Project description:BackgroundThe widespread implementation of acellular dermal matrix (ADM) has broadened the reconstructive repertoire for alloplastic breast reconstruction. ADM's role in the context of postoperative radiation therapy remains unclear. The present review will evaluate whether ADM reduces complication rates in patients undergoing post-mastectomy radiation therapy (PMRT).MethodsA healthcare librarian assisted in performing a search strategy of electronic databases MEDLINE (via Ovid), EMBASE, and CENTRAL. A combination of the keywords and Medical Subject Headings (MESH) to describe the various commercially available ADMs and terms for radiation therapy will be used. The search strategy will identify patients undergoing postoperative radiation following implant-based breast reconstruction and compare outcomes between those with and without ADM. Extracted data will include patient demographics, intraoperative data, and postoperative complications. Data on patient satisfaction and resource utilization will also be extracted if available. The references of selected works will be reviewed for additional studies meeting study criteria. Only peer-reviewed papers written in English will be included. The study data will be assessed for risk of bias and heterogeneity. Providing that sufficient studies can be identified, a meta-analysis will be performed. This review has been registered with PROSPERO (CRD42017056495).ConclusionsTo date, the short- and long-term performance of ADM in the context of postoperative radiation remains unclear. The objective of the present review will be to critically evaluate the literature with the intention of improving postoperative outcomes in the context of mastectomy and radiation.
Project description:Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in women worldwide. Its surgical approach has become less and less mutilating in the last decades. However, the overall number of breast reconstructions has significantly increased lately. Nowadays, breast reconstruction should be individualized at its best, first of all taking into consideration not only the oncological aspects of the tumor, neo-/adjuvant treatment, and genetic predisposition, but also its timing (immediate versus delayed breast reconstruction), as well as the patient's condition and wish. This article gives an overview over the various possibilities of breast reconstruction, including implant- and expander-based reconstruction, flap-based reconstruction (vascularized autologous tissue), the combination of implant and flap, reconstruction using non-vascularized autologous fat, as well as refinement surgery after breast reconstruction.
Project description:BackgroundThe objective is to determine perspectives of general surgeons, plastic surgeons, and cancer navigators on factors contributing to breast cancer patients' decision for post-mastectomy reconstruction, especially for women facing financial hardship.MethodsWe mailed Wisconsin general and plastic surgeons who performed >5 breast cancer procedures annually a survey, including a postcard inviting cancer navigators to participate. Descriptive statistics summarize item responses. McNemar's chi-squared tests evaluated surgeons' perspectives of factors influencing reconstruction for all women compared to women facing financial hardship.ResultsRespondents include 70 general surgeons, 18 plastic surgeons, and 9 navigators. Respondents perceived preference-related factors as important, including "does not want more surgery" (85% reported it important overall and 77% for financial hardship women) and "reconstructed breast is not important to her" (77% vs. 61%). Surgeons perceived logistical factors were more important for women facing financial hardship, including "capacity to be away from work or home responsibilities for recovery" (30% reported important overall and 60% for financial hardship women), "concerned about out-of-pocket costs" (26% vs. 57%), and "frequent visits to complete reconstruction too burdensome" (27% vs. 49%).ConclusionOur findings demonstrate Wisconsin surgeons and cancer navigators perceive logistical concerns influence reconstruction decisions for women facing financial hardship.
Project description:Background/Objectives: Robotic breast reconstruction is an innovative surgical technique that integrates robotic technology into breast reconstruction procedures, offering several advantages over conventional approaches. These benefits include enhanced visualization, increased surgical dexterity, and superior cosmetic outcomes. This study aims to comprehensively compare robotic-assisted and conventional breast reconstruction approaches in terms of complication profiles and operation-related measurements. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, CENTRAL, and VHL from inception to October 2024 to identify relevant studies. Risk ratios for the following complications were calculated between the groups: donor site seroma, hematoma, infection, and unplanned reoperation. Mean differences were also calculated for the duration of surgery, length of postoperative hospital stays, and opioid use. Results: A meta-analysis was performed on 9 studies including a total of 1094 patients. No significant differences were found between the groups in the risk ratios for reoperation, seroma formation, delayed healing, infections, and hematomas. Similarly, there were no significant differences in postoperative opioid use. The duration of surgery was longer in the robot-assisted reconstruction group, whereas the duration of hospital stay was shorter compared to the conventional group. Meta-regression analysis for the duration of surgery model showed that none of the moderators had a statistically significant effect on this outcome. ROBINS-I assessment indicated that all the included studies had a serious risk of bias. Conclusions: Our results suggest that using a robot-assisted approach is associated with a shorter duration of hospital stay and a longer duration of surgery.
Project description:Background and objectiveBreast reconstruction in patients with obesity presents numerous challenges, both in terms of surgical technique and post-operative complication management. As breast reconstruction techniques continue to evolve, the armamentarium of reconstructive options for patients with obesity has vastly expanded. Options now include immediate or delayed, implant-based, autologous, or hybrid reconstruction. Determining the optimal breast reconstruction in this complex population requires nuanced and experienced decision-making.MethodsA literature search was conducted to identify studies assessing breast reconstruction considerations in patients with obesity. The search was performed on PubMed and was limited to English language studies published between 1990 and 2023. Primary studies, case reports, chart reviews, and qualitative studies were included. Additional articles were identified for inclusion based on a review of references, as well as a web-based search, to identify additional studies that were not captured with the primary search strategy.Key content and findingsThis narrative review article summarizes the current literature available to guide surgeons in breast reconstruction in patients with obesity.ConclusionsThe advancements in oncologic surgery and breast reconstruction techniques have expanded available surgical options, including immediate or delayed implant-based, autologous, or hybrid breast reconstruction. Each approach has its unique advantages, disadvantages, and surgical considerations. Despite the challenges, patients with obesity can achieve favorable aesthetic outcomes through careful assessment of comorbidities and expectation management.