Factors associated with local recurrence after skin-sparing mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction for invasive breast cancer.

Objective: To examine the incidence of local recurrence (LR) and factors associated with it in a population of patients who underwent skin-sparing mastectomy (SSM) and immediate reconstruction for invasive carcinoma.

Summary Background Data: The efficacy of SSM has been challenged by concerns about increased risks of LR.

Methods: A consecutive series of 173 patients (176 cancers) with invasive carcinoma underwent SSM and immediate breast reconstruction (June 1986 to December 1997). Data were analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier method, the log-rank statistic test, and the Cox proportional hazards model.

Results: Mean patient age was 47 +/- 9 years (27% were 40 or younger). The AJCC stages were 1 = 43%, 2 = 52%, and 3 = 5%. Thirty percent of tumors were poorly differentiated. With a median follow-up of 73 months, the LR rate was 4.5%. The mean local relapse-free interval was 26 months. Seventy-five percent of patients who presented with LR developed distant metastases and died of disease within a mean of 21 months. On univariate analysis, factors associated with higher LR rate were tumor stage 2 or 3, tumor size larger than 2 cm, node-positive disease, and poor tumor differentiation. Actuarial 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates were 98%, 94%, and 88%, respectively. On multivariate analysis, factors associated with decreased survival were advanced stage, presence of LR, and absence of hormone therapy. LR was a highly significant predictor of tumor-related death.

Conclusions: There is a low incidence of LR after SSM, and it is associated with advanced disease at presentation. LR is an independent risk factor for tumor-related death.