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Endoscopic Bilateral Nipple-sparing Mastectomy via a Single Axillary Incision with Immediate Pre-pectoral Implant-based Breast Reconstruction
Published on: May 17, 2024
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Oncologic safety of axillary lymph node dissection with immediate lymphatic reconstruction
Hope M Guzzo1, Stephanie A Valente1, Graham S Schwarz2
1Division of Breast Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Digestive Disease and Surgery Institute, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA.
Breast Cancer Research and Treatment
|October 14, 2022
Summary
Immediate lymphatic reconstruction (ILR) after axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) for breast cancer appears oncologically safe. This study found no increased risk of short-term axillary recurrence in patients undergoing ILR.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Surgical Oncology
- Breast Cancer Research
Background:
- Immediate lymphatic reconstruction (ILR) following axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) may reduce lymphedema in breast cancer patients.
- The oncologic safety of ILR has not been previously established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if ILR performed during ALND is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer recurrence.
- To evaluate the oncologic outcomes of ILR in breast cancer patients.
Main Methods:
- A prospective institutional database was used to identify 137 breast cancer patients who underwent ALND with ILR between September 2016 and December 2020.
- Patient demographics, tumor characteristics, and surgical details were collected.
- Oncologic outcomes, including local and distant recurrence, were analyzed following a median follow-up of 32.9 months.
Main Results:
- Of 137 patients, 17 (12.4%) experienced recurrence (1 local, 16 distant) during follow-up.
- No axillary recurrences were observed in any patient.
- The majority of patients (89%) presented with node-positive primary breast cancer.
Conclusions:
- Immediate lymphatic reconstruction (ILR) in breast cancer patients undergoing ALND is not associated with short-term axillary recurrence.
- ILR appears to be oncologically safe in this patient population.
