Radiation therapy of cancer in prosthetically augmented or reconstructed breasts.

The authors review the literature and report their experience with radiation treatment of 39 prosthetically augmented or reconstructed breasts in 37 patients with primary or recurrent breast cancer. Group 1 consisted of 10 patients (12 primary breast cancers), of whom six had undergone previous breast augmentation and were later treated with lumpectomy and radiation therapy. Four patients were treated with mastectomy, reconstruction, and postoperative irradiation. Local tumor control was achieved in all patients. Excellent or good cosmetic results were achieved in all but two patients. Group 2 consisted of 27 patients with recurrent breast cancer after mastectomy and reconstruction. Local tumor control was achieved in 78% (21 of 27), with a mean duration of 34 months. Excellent or good cosmetic results were achieved in 93% (25 of 27). Patients who develop primary or recurrent breast cancer in prosthetically augmented or reconstructed breasts can be offered radical radiation therapy, with satisfactory tumor control and aesthetic results.