This is the Scientific Surgery Archive, which contains all randomized clinical trials in surgery that have been identified by searching the top 50 English language medical journal issues since January 1998. Compiled by Jonothan J. Earnshaw, former Editor-in-Chief, BJS

Reoperation for locally recurrent breast cancer in patients previously treated with conservative surgery. BJS 1999; 86: 84-87.

Published: 2nd January 2003

Authors: B. Salvadori, E. Marubini, R. Miceli, A. R. Conti, F. Cusumano, S. Andreola et al.

Background

This study aimed to analyse the possibility of surgical rescue of intrabreast tumour recurrence (IBTR) following conservative operation for breast cancer, i.e. quadrantectomy, axillary dissection and radiotherapy.

Method

Of 2544 patients treated with this approach, 209 presented with an IBTR as the first and only sign of relapse. Some 197 patients were considered suitable for further surgery; 12 were inoperable. Six patients declined operation.

Results

Reoperative surgery was total mastectomy in 134 patients (70 per cent) and further local resection in 57 (30 per cent). Median follow‐up after second surgery was 73 (range 1–192) months. The overall survival probability at 60 months was 70 per cent after mastectomy and 85 per cent following further local excision. There was no difference in disease‐free survival between the two operative groups. Second IBTR was more common at 5 years in the re‐excision group (19 versus 4 per cent).

Conclusion

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