title: Local and distant recurrence rates in skin-sparing mastectomies compared with non-skin-sparing mastectomies.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Skin-sparing mastectomies (SSMs) are being used more frequently to treat many cases of breast cancer. This type of surgery maximizes breast skin preservation and facilitates immediate reconstruction, resulting in a superior cosmetic appearance after mastectomy and a more satisfied patient. Although SSMs are becoming more common, there are few data regarding the local and distant recurrence rates.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 231 patients treated with mastectomies from 1990 to 1998 were studied, including 77 SSM and 154 non-skin-sparing (NSSM) mastectomy patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The local recurrence rates for SSM and NSSM were 3.90% (3 of 77 patients) and 3.25% (5 of 154 patients), respectively. The local recurrence-free survival at 5 years was 95.3% for SSM patients and 95.2% for NSSM patients (P = .28). The distant recurrence rates of SSM and NSSM were 3.9% (3 of 77 patients) and 3.9% (6 of 154 patients), respectively. The distant recurrence-free actuarial survival at 5 years was 90.2% for SSM patients and 92% for NSSM patients (P = .07).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Mastectomies using the skin-sparing technique do not appear to result in any increase in local or distant recurrence and improve aesthetic results of the immediate reconstruction.
authors.affiliation: Strang-Cornell Breast Center, New York, New York, USA.
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Simmons
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Fish
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gayle
authors.forename: G S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: La Trenta
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Swistel
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Christos
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Osborne
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D062109:Dermatologic Surgical Procedures; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016462:Mammaplasty; D015411:Mastectomy, Modified Radical / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D020360:Neoadjuvant Therapy; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome