[Local regional recurrences after radical mastectomy. Studies of 50 cases]

Resection of locoregional recurrences was performed after mastectomy in 50 cases in the period 1961-1974. An incidence of 2% to 35% is reported for such recurrences, which are due to a variety of factors. In the present series, attention was directed to age at mastectomy and at recurrence, size of primary tumour, presence of axillary metastases, and details of menarche, menopause and pregnancy. Mean age at mastectomy was 50 yr and at recurrence 53 yr. Tumour diameter ranged from 2 to 5 cm in 73% of cases. Lympho node metastases were present in 42%. In 80%, the recurrence was paracicatricial, in 13% parasternal, and in 7% axillary. Treatment consisted of resection, radiochemotherapy or endocrino-ablative management.