Immediate reconstruction after mastectomy for breast cancer does not prolong the time to starting adjuvant chemotherapy

Tanir M. Allweis, Marc E. Boisvert, Susan E. Otero, David J. Perry, Norman H. Dubin, Dennis A. Priebat*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

85 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Immediate breast reconstruction is often performed after mastectomy for breast cancer. There has been concern that this will result in a delay in initiating chemotherapy and, as a consequence, may adversely impact survival. In this study we sought to determine whether immediate breast reconstruction affects the interval between surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy. Methods: A single institution retrospective analysis was made using the institutional tumor registry and chart reviews. Results: Forty-nine patients were identified who had undergone mastectomy with immediate reconstruction followed by adjuvant chemotherapy. They were compared with 308 patients undergoing mastectomy without reconstruction. Patients who underwent reconstruction were overall younger (46 versus 55, P <0.001), and had more advanced disease. The time to chemotherapy was significantly longer in the group receiving no reconstruction: 53 versus 41 days (P = 0.039). The type of reconstruction did not affect the time to chemotherapy. Conclusions: Immediate reconstruction after mastectomy does not increase the time to chemotherapy compared with mastectomy alone.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)218-221
Number of pages4
JournalAmerican Journal of Surgery
Volume183
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 2002
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Breast cancer
  • Chemotherapy
  • Implant
  • Mastectomy
  • Reconstruction
  • TRAM flap

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