Surgical Management of Breast Amyloidosis

Amyloidosis is characterized by extracellular deposition of insoluble misfolded beta-pleated proteins. Amyloid disease involving the breast is rare and there is a paucity of literature guiding surgical management in caring for these patients. In this article we review medical and surgical management with an emphasis on post mastectomy breast reconstruction. We propose an algorithm for breast reconstructive options based on unique considerations in this patient population. An institutional database at the Medical College of Wisconsin was used to identify patients diagnosed with breast amyloidosis from 2011 to 2021. We utilized the electronic medical record to present patient demographics, diagnostic and treatment data regarding the medical and surgical management of these patients. Five women were identified with a median age of 70 years and a median follow up of 19 months (range, 9-80 months). All patients were diagnosed with light chain (AL) type of amyloidosis. Systemic amyloidosis was identified in 3 patients and localized disease was identified in 2 patients. Concurrent breast malignancy was identified in 2 patients who underwent skin-sparing mastectomies followed by breast reconstruction with both prosthetic and autologous techniques. Both prosthetic and autologous reconstructive techniques are safe in patients with amyloidosis, however careful consideration and preoperative work-up are warranted to avoid complications in this vulnerable population. Further studies are warranted to improve surgical outcomes in patients with amyloidosis involving the breast.