Preoperative Radiotherapy Trials to Facilitate Immediate Breast Reconstruction after Mastectomy

Abstract

Postmastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT) is often a component of treatment algorithms for locally advanced or node-positive breast cancer. Breast reconstruction may be delayed or not performed due to negative effects of PMRT on the reconstruction. Administering radiotherapy in the preoperative setting allows for immediate breast reconstruction (IBR) to be performed in patients who have indications for PMRT and desire IBR. This review summarizes the current literature on this new concept. Most prospective treatment protocols included neoadjuvant systemic therapy followed by radiotherapy (RT) dose of 50–50.4 Gy conventionally fractionated and mastectomy with immediate autologous reconstruction after 6–8 weeks. There were no cases of IBR being aborted due to technical complications and overall postoperative complications ranged from 3 to 36%. These were typically non-operatively managed, and cosmetic results when evaluated were favorable. Initial oncologic outcomes indicate low locoregional recurrence rates (≤ 10%) and high 5-year overall survival rates of 87–98%. Although published studies are heterogeneous in nature, they suggest that preoperative RT followed by mastectomy with IBR is technically feasible and safe. Larger prospective studies with longer follow-up times may establish this as a new standard in the multidisciplinary treatment of high-risk breast cancer.