Breast reconstruction in the elderly: preserving excellent quality of life

There is a paucity of information in the literature that focuses on quality-of-life issues after mastectomy with breast reconstruction in elderly women. The purpose of this study was to review the authors' experience with breast reconstruction after mastectomy in women older than 65 years of age. Emphasis was placed on the types of reconstructions, outcomes, and evaluation of issues related to quality of life. Between July 1997 and July 2001, 316 consecutive women (400 reconstructions) with breast cancer underwent mastectomy with reconstruction at the authors' institution. Of these women, 24 (28 reconstructions) were at least 65 years old. Mean patient age was 69.3 years (range, 65-77 years). Methods of breast reconstruction included two-stage implant reconstruction (50%), free tissue transfer (transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous or deep inferior epigastric perforator flap, 25%), pedicle transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap (14%), or a latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap (11%). Outcomes were assessed with the use of a self-reported questionnaire (SF-36) addressing health-related quality of life, body image, and physical functioning. With respect to overall quality-of-life issues after reconstruction, older patients with breast reconstruction scored higher (better outcomes) than age-matched general population patients and previously reported mastectomy-only patients (>55 years) in all surveyed areas. Specifically, study patients reported dramatic increases (better outcomes) in the subscales that are strongly influenced by one's mental health. However, when compared with prior data for younger patients undergoing mastectomy and reconstruction, the older patients scored lower (worse outcomes) in the areas related to physical function. The older patients maintained superior scores (better outcomes) over the younger patients in the subscales influenced by one's mental health.