The recurrence pattern following delayed breast reconstruction after mastectomy for breast cancer suggests a systemic effect of surgery on occult dormant micrometastases

• DOI: 10.1007/s10549-016-3857-1
• Publication Date: 2016-06-15T19:19:09Z
• Authors: Hanna Dillekås; Romano Demicheli; Ilaria Ardoino; Svein A. H. Jensen; Elia Biganzoli; Oddbjørn Straume
• Keywords: Occult

The purpose of this study was to characterize the recurrence dynamics in breast cancer patients after delayed reconstruction. We hypothesized that surgical reconstruction might stimulate dormant micrometastases and reduce time recurrence. All mastectomy with at Haukeland University Hospital, between 1977 2007, n = 312, were studied. Our control group consisted 1341 without For each case, all identical T N stages age ±2 years considered. A paired randomly selected from group. 10 primary surgery, 39 cases had relapsed, compared 52 matched controls. reconstructed analyzed for relapse mastectomy; first peak relapses similarly timed, but smaller than controls, while second similar size. Second, pattern as starting point. recurrences found 18 months, a lower 5th-6th year. height correlated extent surgery initial stages. Timing not affected, neither cumulative effect. pattern, when origin is placed both reconstruction, bimodal position same points, 2 5-6 years. timing transition into clinically detectable macrometastases be explained by an enhancing effect surgery.