Outcomes of Immediate Breast Reconstruction in Patients Undergoing Single-Stage Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy and Mastectomy

Oncologic Safety of One-Stage Implant-Based Breast Reconstruction in Breast Cancer Patients With Positive Sentinel Lymph Nodes: A Single-Center Retrospective Study Using Propensity Score Matching

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the oncologic safety of one-stage implant-based breast reconstruction (OIBR) following mastectomy in breast cancer patients with positive sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs).

METHODS

We collected clinical and pathological data from breast cancer patients with positive SLNs who underwent OIBR or not after mastectomy between January 2015 and December 2018. A total of 194 patients were included, with 130 patients undergoing mastectomy alone (MA) and 64 patients receiving OIBR after mastectomy. The clinical and pathological features, as well as the postoperative oncologic outcomes, of the 2 groups were retrospectively analyzed. Propensity score matching (PSM) was employed to mitigate the effects of data bias and confounding factors.

RESULTS

The median follow-up time was 66 months for the OIBR group and 64 months for the MA group after PSM. The majority of reconstructive surgeries use an approach of prosthetic implantation (52.0%). This is followed by prosthetic implantation combined with a latissimus dorsi (LD) flap (32.0%), and acellular dermal matrix (ADM)-assisted implant placement (16.0%). During the follow-up period, a local recurrence was observed in 1 case, regional recurrence in 3 cases, and distant metastasis leading to death in 3 cases among the OIBR group patients. No significant difference was found between the OIBR and MA groups in disease-free survival (DFS) (P = .66), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) (P = .91), locoregional recurrence-free survival (LRRFS) (P = .44), and overall survival (OS) (P = .57).

CONCLUSION

OIBR is a safe option for breast cancer patients with positive SLNs and does not negatively impact cancer recurrence or overall survival.

The Role of Surgical Axillary Staging Prior to Immediate Breast Reconstruction in the Era of De-Escalation of Axillary Management in Early Breast Cancer

Postmastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT) following immediate breast reconstruction (IBR) is associated with postoperative complications. Although the incidence of node-positive breast cancer is declining, a separate sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is still performed before mastectomy when IBR is planned, in order to evaluate nodal status and the need for PMRT. This study assessed the impact of staged SLNB on the breast reconstructive planning, and presents common clinicopathological characteristics of breast cancer with macrometastatic nodal spread where staged SLNB would be beneficial to indicate PMRT. Medical records of breast cancer patients scheduled for mastectomy and IBR at Skåne University Hospital, Sweden, from November 2014 to February 2020, were reviewed. Of 92 patients, node-positive disease was present in 15 (16%). Fifty-three patients underwent staged SLNB before mastectomy and IBR, and 10 (19%) presented with nodal metastasis. All patients with macrometastatic sentinel nodes were presented with palpable, multifocal, ER+ breast carcinoma of no special type with tumor size > 17.0 mm. Overall, four women received PMRT after verified metastasis by staged SLNB, and IBR was cancelled for three patients. These findings question the benefit of routine staged SLNB before mastectomy and IBR in breast cancer populations within established mammography screening programs with low risk of nodal metastasis.

Pre-mastectomy sentinel lymph node biopsy: a strategy to enhance outcomes in immediate breast reconstruction

The pre-mastectomy sentinel lymph node biopsy (PM-SLNB) is a technique that provides knowledge regarding nodal status prior to mastectomy. Because radiation exposure is associated with poor outcomes in breast reconstruction and reconstructed breasts can interfere with the planning and delivery of radiation therapy (RT), information regarding nodal status has important implications for patients who desire immediate breast reconstruction. This study explores the safety and utility of PM-SLNB as part of the treatment strategy for breast cancer patients desiring immediate reconstruction. We reviewed the charts of adult patients (≥18 years old) who underwent PM-SLNB from January 2004 to January 2011 at our institution. PM-SLNB was offered to patients with stage I or IIa, clinically and/or radiographically node-negative breast cancer who desired immediate breast reconstruction following mastectomy. PM-SLNB was also offered to patients with ductal carcinoma in situ if features concerning for invasive carcinoma were present. Ninety-one patients underwent PM-SLNB of 94 axillae. PM-SLNB was positive in 25.5% of breasts (n = 24). Nineteen node-positive patients (79.2%) have undergone or planning to undergo delayed reconstruction at our institution. Seventeen of these 19 node-positive patients (89.5%) have received adjuvant RT. Two patients (10.5%) elected against RT despite our recommendation for it. No biopsy-positive patient underwent immediate reconstruction or suffered a radiation-induced complication with their breast reconstruction. There were two minor complications associated with PM-SLNB, both in node-negative patients. This study demonstrates the utility of PM-SLNB in providing information regarding nodal status, and therefore the need for adjuvant RT, prior to mastectomy. This knowledge can be used to appropriately counsel patients regarding optimal timing of breast reconstruction.

Current trends in breast reconstruction: survey of American Society of Plastic Surgeons 2010

BACKGROUND

We conducted a retrospective survey of American Society of Plastic Surgeons to ascertain the current trends in breast reconstruction (BR).

METHODS

Surveys were sent to 2250 active American Society of Plastic Surgeons members by e-mail with a cover letter including the link using Survey Monkey for the year 2010. In all, 489 surveys (a response rate of 21.7%) were returned. Three hundred fifty-eight surveys from respondents performing BR in their practices were included in the study. The survey included questions on surgeon demographics, practice characteristics, BR after mastectomy, number of BR per year, type and timing of BR, use of acellular dermal matrix, reconstructive choices in the setting of previous irradiation and in patients requiring postmastectomy radiation therapy, timing of contralateral breast surgery, fat grafting, techniques used for nipple-areola reconstruction, the complications, and physician satisfaction and physician reported patient satisfaction. Returned responses were tabulated and assessed.

RESULTS

After prophylactic mastectomy, 16% of BRs were performed. In all, 81.2% of plastic surgeons predominantly performed immediate BR. In patients requiring postmastectomy radiation therapy, 81% did not perform immediate BR. Regardless of practice setting and laterality of reconstruction, 82.7% of respondents predominantly performed implant-based BR. Half of the plastic surgeons performing prosthetic BR used acellular dermal matrix. Only 14% of plastic surgeons predominantly performed autologous BR. Surgeons in solo, plastic surgery group practices, and multispecialty group practices preferred implant-based BR for both unilateral and bilateral cases more frequently than those in academic practices (P < 0.05). Overall, plastic surgeons in academic settings preferred autologous BR more frequently than those in other practice locations (P < 0.05). Of total respondents, 64.8% did not perform microsurgical BR at all; 28% reported performing deep inferior epigastric perforator flap BR. Pedicled transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap was the most often used option for unilateral autologous reconstruction, whereas deep inferior epigastric perforator flap was the most commonly used technique for bilateral BR. The overall complication rate reported by respondents was 11%.

CONCLUSION

The survey provides an insight to the current trends in BR practice with respect to surgeon and practice setting characteristics. Although not necessarily the correct best practices, the survey does demonstrate a likely portrayal of what is being practiced in the United States in the area of BR.

Is intraoperative imprint cytology evaluation still feasible for the evaluation of sentinel lymph nodes for lobular carcinoma of the breast?

BACKGROUND

The evaluation of sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) from a patient with lobular breast cancer is challenging. Metastatic lobular cancer is difficult to identify in SLNs because of its low-grade cytomorphology and its tendency to resemble lymphocytes. Intraoperative imprint cytology (IIC) is a rapid, reliable method for evaluating SLNs intraoperatively. We sought to reexamine our experience with this technique in the identification of invasive lobular breast cancer SLN metastases.

METHODS

A retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database of IIC results of 1010 SLN mapping procedures for breast cancer was performed. From this cohort we reviewed SLN cases of lobular cancer. The SLNs were evaluated intraoperatively by bisecting the SLN. Imprints were made of each cut surface and stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Diff-Quik. Permanent sections were evaluated with up to 4 H&E-stained levels and cytokeratin immunohistochemistry. IIC results were compared with final pathologic results.

RESULTS

A total of 67 cases of pure invasive lobular cancer were identified. The sensitivity was 71%, specificity was 100%, and accuracy was 92%. No statistically significant differences in sensitivity, specificity, or accuracy were identified between the intraoperative detection of lobular carcinoma vs ductal carcinoma. The specificity has remained the same since 2004. However the accuracy (82% vs 92%; P = .09) and sensitivity (52% vs 71%; P = .02) has improved since 2004.

CONCLUSIONS

As we have previously shown, the sensitivity and specificity of IIC in evaluating lobular carcinoma is feasible and accurate. IIC continues to be a viable alternative to frozen section for intraoperative evaluation.