Management of Locoregional Recurrence of Breast Cancer

Abstract

Following treatment for breast cancer, disease can recur locally, regionally, or at distant sites. Locoregional recurrence is defined as recurrence in the ipsilateral breast, skin, chest wall, or regional lymph nodes. Concurrent metastatic disease is common in patients with locoregional recurrence; therefore, patients with recurrence should undergo a complete metastatic work-up. Isolated locoregional recurrence should be approached with curative intent, and patients should undergo resection and adjuvant therapy, as indicated, based on previous treatment and location of recurrence. Following treatment for locoregional recurrence, close monitoring should be performed, as patients are at an increased risk for developing metastatic disease. This review contains 5 figures, 1 table, and 50 references Key Words: breast cancer, CALOR clinical trial, locoregional recurrence, repeat radiation therapy, repeat sentinel lymph node mapping, adjuvant chemotherapy, repeat breast conserving therapy, mastectomy