Outcomes after curative or palliative surgery for locoregional recurrent breast cancer

Background: Locoregional recurrence (LRR) after breast cancer is an independent predictor for later systemic disease and poor long-term outcome. As the surgical treatment is complex and often leaves the patient with extensive defects, reconstructive procedures involving flaps, and thus plastic surgical assistance, are often required. The aim of the present study was to evaluate our institution's approach to surgical treatment for locoregional recurrence of a breast cancer. Methods: In the present retrospective, single-centre study, we evaluate our experience with 12 patients who underwent surgery for locally recurrent breast cancer at Aarhus University Hospital between 2006 and 2010. Nine patients underwent wide local excision. The remaining three patients underwent full thickness chest wall resection. Results: There was no perioperative mortality and no major complications. Minor complications occurred in four (33 %) of the patients. Median overall survival was 22 months, regardless of the surgery being curative or palliative. A median disease-free survival of 18 months was achieved for patients having achieved radicality. Conclusions: Both wide local excision and full thickness chest wall resection offer the opportunity of local control and palliation in patients with LRR. The plastic surgical reconstructive procedures are associated with a low complication rate, and thus not postponing further adjuvant therapy. However, a multidisciplinary approach with a highly careful patient selection is critical in order to ensure the best outcome for the patient. Level of Evidence: Level IV, therapeutic study.