Recurrence rates are reported to be approximately 1% to 2% annually for both mastectomy and mastectomy with reconstruction, and overall recurrence has been reported at between 2% to 15% and has been noted to vary based on the initial cancer type and stage as well as follow-up period of the study [5,7-13]. Clinical evaluation has been a mainstay of evaluation of the postmastectomy breast [4], and the appropriate surveillance imaging strategy for patients with a history of mastectomy with or without reconstruction is an evolving topic, with evidence predominantly drawn from small retrospective studies. Finally, women who have undergone mastectomy with or without reconstruction may present with symptomatic concerns, both in the immediate postoperative period and later. Sequalae of the surgery, such as hematomas, infections, and most commonly in the early postoperative period, fat necrosis [7], may present as palpable findings. Recurrent disease may also present as a palpable lump [7,14]. OR aNew York University School of Medicine, New York, New York. bPanel Chair, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island. cPanel Vice-Chair, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida. dUniversity of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky; Society of Surgical Oncology. eUniversity of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio. fAlpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island. gNorthwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois; American College of Physicians. hMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York. iUniversity of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan. jBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts. kStamford Hospital, Stamford, Connecticut; American College of Surgeons. lWomen and Infants Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island; American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. mRadiology Associates of Tallahassee, Tallahassee, Florida.
Imaging after Mastectomy and Breast Reconstruction. Recurrence rates are reported to be approximately 1% to 2% annually for both mastectomy and mastectomy with reconstruction, and overall recurrence has been reported at between 2% to 15% and has been noted to vary based on the initial cancer type and stage as well as follow-up period of the study [5,7-13]. Clinical evaluation has been a mainstay of evaluation of the postmastectomy breast [4], and the appropriate surveillance imaging strategy for patients with a history of mastectomy with or without reconstruction is an evolving topic, with evidence predominantly drawn from small retrospective studies. Finally, women who have undergone mastectomy with or without reconstruction may present with symptomatic concerns, both in the immediate postoperative period and later. Sequalae of the surgery, such as hematomas, infections, and most commonly in the early postoperative period, fat necrosis [7], may present as palpable findings. Recurrent disease may also present as a palpable lump [7,14]. OR aNew York University School of Medicine, New York, New York. bPanel Chair, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island. cPanel Vice-Chair, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida. dUniversity of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky; Society of Surgical Oncology. eUniversity of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio. fAlpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island. gNorthwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois; American College of Physicians. hMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York. iUniversity of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan. jBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts. kStamford Hospital, Stamford, Connecticut; American College of Surgeons. lWomen and Infants Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island; American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. mRadiology Associates of Tallahassee, Tallahassee, Florida.