Breast reconstruction following mastectomy for invasive breast cancer by free flaps from the abdomen is oncologically safe.

Aims: To report the long-term results of oncological safety of breast reconstruction by autologous tissue following mastectomy for invasive breast cancer.

Methods: One-hundred-fifty-six consecutive patients with invasive breast cancer treated with mastectomy and reconstruction by autologous tissue were reviewed throughout (from 1987 to 2003 with median follow up time of 66 months).

Results: Median patient age was 45.9 years (range 26-68). The 157 observed tumors had mean diameter of 25+/-19 mm, 70 of them were poorly differentiated, and 137 were invasive ductal carcinoma. Multifocal disease was present in 44 patients. Breast reconstruction was carried out only by autologous tissue (free flaps were used in 95% and free TRAM flap transfer was the most common reconstructive procedure). There was only one local recurrence as first site of recurrence, thus yielding a local recurrence rate of 0.6%.

Conclusions: Breast reconstruction by autologous tissue following mastectomy for invasive breast cancer is an oncologically safe procedure.