Ann Surg

Purpose

Although breast conservation is therapeutically equivalent to mastectomy for most early-stage breast cancer patients, an increasing number are pursuing mastectomy, which may be followed by breast reconstruction. We sought to evaluate long-term quality of life (QOL) and cosmetic outcomes after different locoregional management approaches, as perceived by patients themselves.

Methods

We surveyed women diagnosed with non-metastatic breast cancer from 2005-07, as reported to the Los Angeles and Detroit population-based SEER registries. We received responses from 2290 women approximately 9 months after diagnosis (73% response rate) and from 1536 of these 4 years later. We evaluated QOL and patterns and correlates of satisfaction with cosmetic outcomes overall, and more specifically within the subgroup undergoing mastectomy with reconstruction, using multivariable linear regression.

Results

Of the 1450 patients who responded to both surveys and had not recurred, 963 underwent breast conserving surgery, 263 mastectomy without reconstruction, and 222 mastectomy with reconstruction. Cosmetic satisfaction was similar between those receiving breast conservation and those receiving mastectomy with reconstruction. Among patients receiving mastectomy with reconstruction, reconstruction type and radiation receipt were associated with satisfaction (p<0.001), with an adjusted scaled satisfaction score of 4.7 for patients receiving autologous reconstruction without radiation, 4.4 for patients receiving autologous reconstruction and radiation therapy, 4.1 for patients receiving implant reconstruction without radiation, and 2.8 for patients receiving implant reconstruction and radiation.

Discussion

Patient-reported cosmetic satisfaction was similar after breast conservation and after mastectomy with reconstruction. In patients undergoing post-mastectomy radiation, use of autologous reconstruction may mitigate radiation's deleterious impact on cosmetic outcomes.

25654742

PMC4512928

Journal Article

CDC Public Access