Immediate breast reconstruction in pregnancy and lactation

Abstract

Introduction: Pregnancy-associated breast cancer (PABC) includes breast cancer diagnosed during pregnancy and within a year after delivery. At least 10% of the patients with breast cancer who are younger than 40 years of age are pregnant at their diagnosis. Although mastectomy is the most frequent indication, there are no data about immediate breast reconstruction, and most authors recommend delayed reconstruction. Objective: The purpose of this paper was to present a model that allows immediate breast reconstruction in this complex group of patients, which no compromise neither oncologic treatment nor the fetus evolution. Methods: This study was carried out as retrospective and prospective analysis of consecutive PABC patients who had undergone mastectomy, axillary dissection and immediate breast reconstruction in the Breast Unit of Nossa Senhora das Graças Hospital, in Curitiba (PR), Brazil, from March 2004 until July 2008. Results: From a total number of 598 cases of invasive breast cancer, 10 PABC cases (1.7%) were selected. These patients were younger and with more aggressive tumors than non-pregnant ones. Breast reconstructions were performed following a specific decision model designed in our Unit. First trimester patient (n=1) was submitted to immediate reconstruction in one-step surgery with breast implants and contra-lateral symmetry. Second and third trimester patients (n=2) were submitted to temporary expanders. Lactation patients (n=5) were submitted to temporary expanders, or one-step surgery with implants in cases of lactation ceased at least three months ago (n=1). No surgical complications or delay in adjuvant therapy were observed. Only one patient needed postoperative radiotherapy, resulting in Baker 2 capsular contracture. Conclusions: All the patients were alive without disease in this group, and the fetus evolutions were not compromised by the surgery. This reconstructive approach minimizes the effects of mastectomy. It does not increase the clinical and oncologic risks, nor compromise the fetus.