Radical surgery for advanced and recurrent breast cancer

Locally advanced or recurrent breast cancer is commonly seen in breast clinics. One method of palliation for ulcerating tumours is a radical mastectomy with replacement of the chest wall defect with a myocutaneous flap. We report on our experience of this technique in the management of 35 women (21 advanced disease, 14 recurrent disease). The perioperative complications were minimal and there are some longterm survivors. 15 women are alive and well (range 20-96 months postoperatively, mean 55 months). This radical surgery, therefore, has a significant role in the management of selected women with breast cancer.