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No increased oncologic risk associated with fat grafting in women with previous breast cancer

In women previously treated for breast cancer, researchers found no increased oncologic risk for local, regional or distant recurrences associated with fat grafting.

A total of 211 women previously treated for malignant breast disease who underwent fat grafting using the Coleman technique at the Nottingham Breast Institute and had complete data available for review were included in the study. Two controls were included for each of the 211 patients, who were matched for primary breast cancer but did not undergo fat grafting. Controls were matched for date of primary cancer operation, age, type of surgery, histology, estrogen receptor status and disease-free interval by time of fat grafting. The researchers compared outcome results with a systemic review of all patients who underwent fat grafting and had adequate follow-up included in the available literature.

Katherine Gale

Following primary cancer surgery, mean follow-up was 88 months. Mean follow-up after fat grafting was 32 months.

According to the researchers, no significant excess oncologic events occurred among the patients who underwent fat grafting compared with patients in the control group with regard to local, regional or distant recurrences. Local reoccurrence in the fat-grafting group was 0.95% vs. 1.90% in the control group. Regional recurrence was 0.95% in the fat-grafting group compared with 0% in the control group, and distant recurrence was 3.32% in the fat-grafting group vs. 2.61% in the control group.

Through a systematic review, the researchers identified 1,573 patients who underwent fat grafting after primary oncologic breast surgery, for whom the rate of locoregional relapse was 2.92%. - by Abigail Sutton

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.