Etiology of breast masses after autologous breast reconstruction

Background: Determining the nature of a breast mass after autologous reconstruction can be difficult. Methods: A retrospective review of all autologous breast reconstructions was performed over 10 years. All postoperative breast masses were identified. Tumor characteristics, adjuvant treatment, timing of the development of the mass, and correlation with radiology were reviewed. Results: A total of 365 flaps were performed on 272 patients [253 deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP), 35 superficial inferior epigastric artery (SIEA), 22 muscle-sparing free transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (free MS-TRAM), 25 latissimus, and 30 pedicled TRAM]. Breast masses were identified in 66 breasts (18 %). The majority of these were from fat necrosis, occurring in 54 breasts (15 % overall; DIEP 13.4 %, SIEA 5.7 %, free MS-TRAM 15 %, latissimus 0 %, pedicled TRAM 47 %), first identified at a mean of 3 months. Recurrent carcinoma was diagnosed in 13 breasts (3.6 %). Factors associated with the postreconstruction mass representing recurrent carcinoma were later time period after reconstruction (mean 24 months), closer surgical margins, and lymphovascular invasion. Radiographic imaging accurately diagnosed recurrent carcinoma in 11 (92 %) of 12 patients in whom it was utilized and suggested a benign diagnosis in all 16 patients with fat necrosis in whom it was utilized. Conclusions: Breast masses frequently present after autologous reconstruction. Fat necrosis is the most common cause. Recurrent carcinoma can occur in the reconstructed breast and presents later. A higher index of suspicion for recurrence should accompany any mass in which prior lymphovascular invasion was present or if original margins were <1 cm. Radiographic imaging accurately identifies the cause of these masses.