Better cosmetic results and comparable quality of life after skin-sparing mastectomy and immediate autologous breast reconstruction compared to breast conservative treatment

Abstract

Preoperative chemotherapy (PCT) can be used in large primary breast cancer to facilitate breast conservative surgery (BCS). Cosmetic results of BCS are influenced by the size of the residual tumour, relative to the size of the breast. After mastectomy, immediate breast reconstruction (IBR) with autologous tissue provides excellent cosmetic outcome and has proven to be safe in breast cancer patients. Besides improving overall and disease free survival, Quality of Life (QoL), body image and cosmetic outcome are also important issues after treatment for breast cancer. In this study, Health-Related-Quality of Life (HRQL) and body image were evaluated, in patients treated with PCT, followed by BCS, or skin-sparing mastectomy (SSM) and perforator-flap breast reconstruction. Additionally, clinical observers assessed cosmetic outcome. All participants were evaluated by the Medical Outcomes Study (MOS) 36-item Short Form Health Status Survey (SF-36, 36 items) and a study-specific questionnaire. An external panel evaluated standardised photographs of the breasts. For all patients, norm-based scores of physical and mental health state are comparable with the general population, except for vitality (VT) score, which is somewhat lower. No significant differences can be observed between both groups. The majority of the patients were satisfied with the appearance of their breasts. The cosmetic results, assessed by the clinical team, were significantly better for patients having IBR, compared to BCS. The mean score was 7.5/10 for IBR, versus 6.0/10 for BCS ( p<0.0001). Breast conserving treatment or mastectomy with reconstruction may yield comparable results of QoL, but cosmetic outcome is better after SSM and perforator-flap reconstruction. Patients must be offered both options, and clinicians should stress that both are equally effective.