Cristina Garusi

Locoregional recurrence risk after lipofilling in breast cancer patients

BACKGROUND Lipofilling has been indicated for postmastectomy and postlumpectomy breast reconstruction. The clinical literatures underline its technical efficacy but experimental studies raise important questions about the potential detrimental effect of adipocytes on the stimulation of cancer growth and reappearance. DESIGN We collected 321 consecutive patients operated for a primary breast cancer between 1997 and 2008 who subsequently underwent lipofilling for reconstructive purpose. For each patient, we selected two matched patients with similar characteristics who did not undergo a lipofilling. RESULTS Eighty-nine percent of the tumors were invasive. Median follow-up was 56 months from the primary surgery and 26 months from the lipofilling. Eight and 19 patients had a local event in the lipofilling and control group, respectively, leading to comparable cumulative incidence curves [P = 0.792; Hazard RatioLipovs No lipo = 1.11 (95% confidence interval 0.47-2.64)]. These results were confirmed when patients undergoing quadrantectomy and mastectomy were analyzed separately and when the analysis was limited to invasive tumors. Based on 37 cases, the lipofilling group resulted at higher risk of local events when the analysis was limited to intraepithelial neoplasia. CONCLUSIONS Lipofilling seems to be a safe procedure in breast cancer patients. Longer follow-up and further experiences from oncological series are urgently required to confirm these findings.BACKGROUND Lipofilling has been indicated for postmastectomy and postlumpectomy breast reconstruction. The clinical literatures underline its technical efficacy but experimental studies raise important questions about the potential detrimental effect of adipocytes on the stimulation of cancer growth and reappearance. DESIGN We collected 321 consecutive patients operated for a primary breast cancer between 1997 and 2008 who subsequently underwent lipofilling for reconstructive purpose. For each patient, we selected two matched patients with similar characteristics who did not undergo a lipofilling. RESULTS Eighty-nine percent of the tumors were invasive. Median follow-up was 56 months from the primary surgery and 26 months from the lipofilling. Eight and 19 patients had a local event in the lipofilling and control group, respectively, leading to comparable cumulative incidence curves [P = 0.792; Hazard Ratio(Lipo vs No lipo) = 1.11 (95% confidence interval 0.47-2.64)]. These results were confirmed when patients undergoing quadrantectomy and mastectomy were analyzed separately and when the analysis was limited to invasive tumors. Based on 37 cases, the lipofilling group resulted at higher risk of local events when the analysis was limited to intraepithelial neoplasia. CONCLUSIONS Lipofilling seems to be a safe procedure in breast cancer patients. Longer follow-up and further experiences from oncological series are urgently required to confirm these findings.

Evaluation of fat grafting safety in patients with intra epithelial neoplasia: a matched-cohort study

BACKGROUND Fat grafting is widely carried out in breast cancer patients to improve quality in breast reconstruction. Recently, in vitro and animal studies have questioned the role of adipose tissues in cancer development. DESIGNS Matched-cohort study. We analysed: (i) 59 intraepithelial neoplasia patients who had undergone lipofilling, with no recurrence between primary surgery and lipofilling. (ii) A control group of 118 matched patients (two controls per lipofilling patient) with the corresponding recurrence-free intervals. Both groups were also matched for main cancer criteria. A local event (LE) was the primary end point, with follow-up starting from the baseline. RESULTS Median follow-up was 63 and 66 months from surgery, and 38 and 42 from baseline, for the lipofilling and control groups, respectively; the 5-year cumulative incidence of LE was 18% and 3% (P = 0.02). Ki-67 was the significant factor in univariate survival analysis. A subgroup analysis showed that lipofilling increased the risk of LE in women <50 years, with high grade neoplasia, Ki-67 ≥ 14 or who had undergone quadrantectomy. CONCLUSION Higher risk of LE was observed in intraepithelial neoplasia patients following lipofilling. Although further studies are required to validate our conclusions, patients belonging to this subgroup should be informed of these results and the potential risks.

The nipple-sparing mastectomy: Early results of a feasibility study of a new application of perioperative radiotherapy (ELIOT) in the treatment of breast cancer when mastectomy is indicated

Background Breast cancer surgery has become less and less mutilating, however a mastectomy is required in the case of multicentric, large tumors or recurrences after conservative treatment. The removal of the nipple areola complex during the mastectomy dramatically increases the feeling of mutilation. To reduce this negative psychological impact, in cancers located outside of the central area of the breast, we propose a new type of nipple-sparing mastectomy associated with intraoperative electron beam radiotherapy (ELIOT) delivered on the region of the areola. The nipple-sparing mastectomy is performed leaving 5 mm of glandular tissue behind the nipple areola complex to preserve its blood supply. The reconstruction is immediately performed with a prosthesis or an autologous flap. Patients and Methods Twenty-five patients were included in the study; two of them had a bilateral nipple-sparing mastectomy. Results Pathological examinations demonstrated the presence of 19 infiltrating carcinomas and 8 ductal carcinoma in situ. Two patients had a superficial skin areolar slough followed by spontaneous healing. One necrosis of the areola occurred due to extensive retroareolar dissection. In the early follow-up, the color of the areola was preserved. All patients except one expressed their satisfaction of having kept their areola. Conclusions These preliminary results are encouraging but they require further studies to evaluate the long-term results, the local recurrence rate and the psychological impact.

Breast reconstructive techniques in cancer patients: which ones, when to apply, which immediate and long term risks?

Breast reconstruction is considered as part of the breast cancer treatment when a mastectomy is required. The techniques available today, allow reconstruction of the breast even in almost all the cases even in poor local conditions. In 60-70% of the cases, the reconstruction can be performed with an implant inserted behind the pectoralis muscle. Special implants called expanders, are inflatable progressively in the postoperative course thanks to a reservoir located subcutaneously. They provide a progressive distention of the teguments and a more natural shape after substitution of the expander with a definitive implant. The symmetry is usually obtained thanks to a contralateral plastic surgery, which allows at the same time histological check up of the glandular tissue of the opposite breast. The nipple areolar complex is usually reconstructed in a second stage under local anesthesia, using local flaps for the nipple and a tattoo for the colour of the areola. In 30% of the cases, especially after radiotherapy when a salvage mastectomy is required, a flap reconstruction is preferred. The autologous tissue reconstruction with the rectus myocutaneous flap gives excellent cosmetic results and the most natural shape for the breast. But it is a more demanding technique requiring a good experience. In some occasions, the reconstruction with the latissimus flap can also be autologous but usually requires the addition of prosthesis. In most cases, the reconstruction can be performed immediately. The delayed reconstruction is usually preferred when the adjuvant chemotherapy should be delivered as soon as possible after the mastectomy. Complications of the reconstruction such as local necrosis or infections, leading to implant removal or revision of the flap could be detrimental to the patient in delaying the start of the chemotherapy. It is not recommended to reconstruct the breast immediately in case of locally advanced breast cancer. Partial breast reconstruction using plastic surgery procedures can also be performed in case of quadrantectomy in order to obtain a better cosmetic result. Local glandular flaps, as well as specific incisions according to the location of the tumor in the breast allow the reshaping of the breast even in case of large resection and, therefore, provide an opportunity to increase the number of conservative treatment indications, especially in case of in-situ carcinomas.

The perfusion map of the unipedicled TRAM flap to reduce postoperative partial necrosis

The unipedicled transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM) flap is a well-known technique for breast reconstruction. However, it is clinically difficult to evaluate the blood perfusion of the flap in the operating room. A new technique of blood supply evaluation, employing indocyanine green dye (ICG) fluorescence videoangiography has been performed in 10 cases of unipedicled TRAM flap breast reconstruction. In our series, the ICG measurement was demonstrated to be a safe, quick, and accurate technique of flap perfusion analysis. We confirmed the presence of individual pattern (“perfusion map”) of the flap perfusion, zone II sometimes not being as well perfused as zone III. In this paper, we present our descriptive findings, and the ICG analysis seems to have a predictive value of unipedicled TRAM flap viability.

Nipple-sparing mastectomy—is it worth the risk?

Nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM) is a surgical protocol designed to reduce the disabling psychological effects of radical or skin-sparing mastectomy. The preservation of the nipple–areola complex produces a more-natural result of the breast reconstruction, but this preservation is suspected of increasing tumor local recurrence. To reduce this risk, different approaches have been proposed: restrict the inclusion criteria and/or add localized radiation therapy. The local recurrence rate in recent series of patients receiving NSM is comparable with the local recurrence rate in modified radical or skin-sparing mastectomies. Today, the quality of the subcutaneous mastectomy technique allows for a more radical glandular removal, especially in the retroareolar area; therefore, local recurrence is observed in 3–6% of patients at 5 years, consistent with traditional mastectomy.

Nipple Sparing Mastectomy: Does Breast Morphological Factor Related to Necrotic Complications?

Background: Nipple sparing mastectomy (NSM) can be performed for prophylactic mastectomy and the treatment of selected breast cancer with oncologic safety. The risk of skin and nipple necrosis is a frequent complication of NSM procedure, and it is usually related to surgical technique. However, the role of the breast morphology should be also investigated. Method: We prospectively performed an analysis of 124 NSM from September 2012 to January 2013 at the European Institute of Oncology, Milan, Italy, focusing on necrotic complications. We analyzed the association between the risks of skin necrosis and the breast morphology of the patients. Results: Among 124 NSM in 113 patients, NSM procedures were associated with necrosis in 22 mastectomies (17.7%) among which included partial necrosis of nipple-areolar complex (NAC) in 15 of 124 NSM (12.1%) and total necrosis in 4 cases (3.5%). The NAC was removed in 5 NSM cases (4%). The volume of breast removed was the only significant factor increasing the risk of skin necrosis. The degree of ptosis was not significantly related to the necrosis risk. Conclusions: Large glandular specimen increases the risk of NAC necrosis. The degree of ptosis and the distance between the sternal notch and the NAC have no significant impact on necrotic complications in NSM. To reduce the necrotic complications in large breast after NSM, reconstruction should better be performed with autologous flap or slow skin expansion using the expander technique.

Abdominal complications and sequelae after breast reconstruction with pedicled TRAM flap: is there still an indication for pedicled TRAM in the year 2003?

Five years ago, we published our results on abdominal sequelae as related to pedicled flaps, dealing at that time with poor aesthetic results, scarring, and abdominal strength disorders.1 Today, the majority of the studies underscore the decrease of abdominal sequelae thanks to microsurgical techniques. Nevertheless, we are still performing pedicled transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM) flaps for autologous breast reconstructions. Since our last publication in 1997, 420 pedicled TRAM flaps for breast reconstruction have been performed. In this article, we compare these results with the results of the first series.

Immediate breast reconstruction and high-dose chemotherapy.

Background:Immediate breast reconstruction (IBR) is considered as a safe procedure nowadays, and it can be proposed in the majority of patients requiring a mastectomy. In fact, recent studies have demonstrated that immediate breast reconstruction is not detrimental also to patients with locally advanced breast cancers. However, IBR should be reevaluated in case of locally advanced breast cancer requiring high-dose chemotherapy (HDCT). The aim of this study is to evaluate both the risk of chemotherapy delay due to surgical complications and the risk of late surgical complications related to the association with HDCT. We considered 3 series of 23, 67, and 15 patients requiring a mastectomy at the European Institute of Oncology in Milan. After mastectomy, these groups respectively received an IBR and HDCT, an IBR and conventional chemotherapy, and only HDCT with no IBR. Methods:Files of 105 patients who were admitted to our department from October 1999 to January 2002 were reviewed. Twenty-three patients underwent a mastectomy, followed by IBR and HDCT; 67 underwent a mastectomy plus IBR plus conventional CT; and, finally, 15 underwent a mastectomy alone followed by HDCT. The reconstructive techniques performed were 72 permanent prosthesis and 18 temporary expanders. We excluded all patients with IBR by flap (latissimus dorsi or pedicled rectus abdominis) to improve the homogeneity of the sample. Results:All patients who underwent IBR started high-dose chemotherapy without any delay; the time elapsed between surgery and HDCT is not significantly different for patients with and without IBR (54 versus 60 days, P = 0.13). The early complication rate (before CT) was 2.9% (2 patients with infection). The late complication rate (after CT) was higher for the group that underwent IBR followed by HDCT (39% versus 20%). Conclusion:We did not observe any delay for the administration of high-dose chemotherapy after mastectomy with IBR surgery. The complication rate before HDCT is similar to the complication rates published in the literature. On the contrary, we observed a higher rate of infections (13% versus 0%, P = 0,014) after HDCT than after conventional CT, which can be related to the association with high-dose chemotherapy, inducing a decrease of the immune defenses. These results seems to demonstrate that the association of IBR with HDCT is not detrimental to patients from the oncological point of view, but the impact of HDCT on the reconstruction is more negative. Further studies are needed to verify if this risk exists, although lower, in the association with conventional CT. However, a careful evaluation of the risk of infections should be considered preoperatively, and perioperative contaminations should be carefully prevented.

Update on Breast Reconstruction Techniques and Indications

Breast reconstruction is considered as part of the breast cancer treatment when a mastectomy is required. Implants or expanders are the most frequent techniques used for the reconstructions. Expander provides usually a better symmetry. A contralateral mastoplasty often is required to improve the symmetry. The nipple areola complex, which can be preserved in certain conditions, is usually removed and can be reconstructed in a second stage under local anesthesia. In case of radical mastectomy and/or radiotherapy, a musculocutaneous flap, such as rectus abdominis or latissimus dorsi autologous flaps, is required. When microsurgical facilities are available, free or perforator flaps respecting the muscle are preferred to decrease the donor site complications. In situ carcinomas or prophylactic mastectomy can be reconstructed immediately as well as invasive carcinoma according to the recent literature. Locally advanced breast cancer can be reconstructed after complete oncologic treatment. Radiotherapy of the thoracic wall is proposed in case of lymph node metastases, raising the discussion about the technique choice and the timing of the reconstruction. Plastic surgery procedures can improve the cosmetic results of the conservative surgery, also extending its indications and reducing both mastectomy and reexcision rates. Oncoplasty techniques are becoming more and more sophisticated, requiring the skill of trained plastic surgeons. Numerous publications confirm the psychosocial benefit resulting from the breast reconstruction.