Sunday, January 31, 2010

Self Study:Book Chapter Review Notes.


Surgery of The Breast Principles and Art Ed. Scott Spear
Chapter 33. Prosthetic Reconstruction in the Radiated Breast.

Prosthetic breast reconstruction in the radiated breast is a complex issue.

-Radiated reconstructions tend to be of poorer quality than non-radiated reconstructions.
-Radiation increases the complication rates associated with reconstructive options
-Not all radiation is the same.


The dose, location, type, and purpose of radiation substantially affects the local tissue response and thus indirectly the hospitality of those tissues to reconstructive surgery.

Radiation may be delivered to the breast under a variety of circumstances:

-As part of breast conservation treatment, along with lumpectomy and axillary sampling.
-Postmastectomy, according to the American Society of Clinical Oncology Guidelines
-Postmastectomy for a local recurrence.
-After immediate reconstruction for unfavorable tumor
-After immediate or delayed reconstruction for recurrence

If radiation prior to reconstruction:

Indications
Dose of radiation
Quality of tissues after radiation

Lumpectomy and radiation often 5,000 cGY
Patients radiated after mastectomy more likely high-dose radiation because radiation recommended on basis of extensive or aggressive disease.

Lower dose radiation: tissues look and feel reasonably normal
Higher dose radiation: tissues look tight, inelastic, thickened.

All radiation increases risk of complications.
Obvious radiation damage advised to undergo autologous or autologous assisted types of reconstruction.

Indications for radiation by American Society of Clinical Oncology:

Tumor greater than 4 cm.
4 or more positive lymph nodes
Tumor near resection margins (skin or chest wall)

Radiation dose for these indications is usually substantial 9,500 to 10,000 cGy.