Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 23, 2026
Endoscopic Bilateral Nipple-sparing Mastectomy via a Single Axillary Incision with Immediate Pre-pectoral Implant-based Breast Reconstruction
Published on: May 17, 2024
Breast-conserving therapy and sentinel lymph node biopsy are feasible in cancer patients with previous implant breast
Richard J Gray1, Adrienne W Forstner-Barthell, Barbara A Pockaj
1Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic, 13400 East Shea Blvd., Scottsdale, AZ 85259, USA. gray.richard@mayo.edu
Background:
Breast-conserving therapy (BCT) is reported to result in a significant rate of complications and local recurrences in patients with prior implant breast augmentation. The role of sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy in these patients is unknown.
Methods:
Retrospective review of patients with prior breast augmentation treated with BCT or SLN biopsy.
Results:
Nineteen breast cancers were treated with BCT. Of 17 breasts undergoing adjuvant radiotherapy, 11 (64.7%) retained favorable aesthetic results. Of 9 subpectoral implants, capsular contracture developed in only 1 (11.1%). During follow-up (median 3 years), 1 local recurrence (5.3%) occurred in a patient who refused adjuvant radiotherapy and systemic therapy. Eleven patients underwent SLN biopsy with an identification rate of 100% and a false-negative rate of 0%.
Conclusions:
Breast-conserving therapy inclusive of radiotherapy after implant breast augmentation produced acceptable cosmetic results in nearly two-thirds of patients. Sentinel lymph node mapping in the setting of prior implant augmentation was highly successful and accurate.
