FAIRFAX, Va -- November 20, 2008 -- For breast cancer patients who underwent a mastectomy who undergo radiation therapy after immediate breast reconstruction, autologous tissue reconstruction (ATR) provides fewer long-term complications and better cosmetic results than tissue expander and implant reconstruction (TE/I), according to a study in the November issue of the International Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics.
Jigna Jhaveri, MD, Advanced Radiation Centers of New York, Hauppauge, New York, and colleagues sought to determine if the type of reconstruction performed on women who is receiving radiation therapy after a mastectomy has an impact on long-term outcomes.
The study involved the largest reported series of patients who sequentially underwent mastectomy, immediate reconstruction, and postmastectomy radiation therapy.
A total of 92 were observed for 38 months following their reconstruction and radiation treatments, and researchers found that ATR is better tolerated by breast cancer patients because it is associated with fewer long-term complications and better cosmetic results than TE/I.
None of the 23 ATR patients required surgical intervention, while 33% of TE/I patients needed surgery to correct a problem with their reconstruction. In addition, 83% of ATR patients reported acceptable cosmetic outcome, as opposed to only 54% of TE/I patients.
"This study is useful for patients who are candidates for either ATR or TE/I, and are making a decision with regards to reconstruction technique," said Dr. Jhaveri.
"Our study provides evidence that patients who undergo autologous tissue reconstruction and radiation therapy have fewer long term complications and better cosmetic outcomes than those who undergo tissue expander/implant reconstruction and radiation therapy."
SOURCE: American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology
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