[Analysis of axillary recurrence after breast reconstruction]

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Surgical Oncology
• Breast Surgery

Background:

• Breast reconstruction is increasingly common.
• Axillary recurrence after a negative sentinel node biopsy presents treatment challenges.
• Standard treatment for axillary recurrence is axillary resection.

Observation:

• Three cases of axillary lymph node recurrence are presented, occurring approximately 8 years post-breast reconstruction.
• In two cases, axillary resection was performed while preserving the reconstructed breast.
• In one case, axillary resection necessitated removal of the reconstructed breast due to proximity of metastatic lymph nodes.

Findings:

• Axillary lymph node recurrence can occur years after initial breast cancer treatment and reconstruction.
• Surgical resection is crucial for achieving complete recovery from axillary recurrence.
• The location of metastatic lymph nodes relative to the reconstructed breast impacts surgical approach.

Implications:

• The incidence of axillary recurrence after breast reconstruction is expected to rise.
• Complete recovery from axillary recurrence necessitates surgical resection.
• Surgeons may need to prioritize complete tumor removal over preserving the reconstructed breast in recurrence cases.