Surgical outcomes in women ≥70 years undergoing mastectomy with and without reconstruction for breast cancer

Abstract

BackgroundApproximately 4% of women age 70 will develop breast cancer during the next ten years. Reconstruction has become a standard option for young women undergoing mastectomy for breast cancer, however may not be offered to older women due to the presence of co-morbidities. There is limited data on the outcomes of mastectomy with reconstruction in patient's ≥ 70. This study examines comorbidities and 30-day complication rates in patients ≥70 undergoing mastectomy for breast cancer. MethodsThe American College of Surgeons National Surgery Quality Improvement Program database was used to examine co-morbidities and 30-day complication rates in breast cancer patients undergoing mastectomy from 2007 to 2012. Patients were grouped based on age and procedure. Complication rates were characterized using descriptive statistics and Wilcoxon rank sum-test. Variable frequencies were compared using Chi-square or Fisher's exact test. Results54,821 patients underwent mastectomy. Among patients ≥70, 11,927 did not have reconstruction, 109 had reconstruction. Among patients <70, 40,755 did not have reconstruction and 2040 had reconstruction. Patients without reconstruction had a significantly higher number of co-morbidities compared to those having reconstruction (P = 0.001). The 30-day complication rate for patients without reconstruction was 4.2% in patients ≥70 compared to 4.4% for those <70 (p = 0.4). In patients with reconstruction, the 30-day complication rate was 6.4% in patients ≥70 compared to 5.6% for those <70 (p = 0.7). ConclusionThere was no difference in 30-day complication rate between patients ≥70 and < 70 having mastectomy with and without reconstruction. Similar outcomes among women ≥70 years and younger patients undergoing reconstruction may reflect patient selection based on co-morbidities. With appropriate risk stratification, breast reconstruction may be a safe surgical option for women ≥70 year patients undergoing treatment for breast cancer.