1 Comment
PRMA Plastic Surgery

Breast Cancer Recurrence Risk Does Not Increase Following DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction

July 17, 2020

Does DIEP flap increase the risk of breast cancer recurrence?

A study published in the British Journal of Surgery has found that DIEP flap breast reconstruction patients have no increased risk of breast cancer recurrence.

The study was performed to address the suggestion that major surgery can trigger tumor progression in breast cancer patients. The DIEP flap is performed by transplanting skin and fatty tissue from the lower abdomen to the chest using microsurgery to reconstruct a warm, soft, natural breast following a mastectomy. This is considered a “major surgery,” causing some to speculate it could increase the risk of recurrence.

The researchers compared data from 250 patients who had DIEP flap breast reconstruction between 1999 and 2013 with data from more than 700 control patients (patients who did not have DIEP flap reconstruction).

The results of the study are as follows:

Breast Cancer Recurrence Rate:

19% in DIEP flap patients

23% in control patients

5 Year Survival Rate:

92% for DIEP flap patients

87% for control patients

These findings demonstrate there is no increased risk of breast cancer recurrence for women who undergo DIEP flap reconstruction compared to women who have mastectomy alone. In fact, the results show the survival rate is higher for the DIEP patients.

“The questions about the effects of reconstruction on recurrence and survival have been studied for implant reconstruction as well with similar findings. Although the results of this recent study are not new, it is great to see data presented that supports women in their wish to look and feel whole again after mastectomy,” says Dr. Gary Arishita.

Author: Dr. Oscar Ochoa and Courtney Floyd

Breast_Cancer_Recurrence_Risk_Does_Not_Increase_Following_DIEP_Flap_Breast_Reconstruction

These findings demonstrate there is no increased risk of breast cancer recurrence for women who undergo DIEP flap reconstruction compared to women who have mastectomy alone.

Leave Comment

good results suggest – we did all the right things. research is proving positive!

Tom

July 21,2020

Sign Up for Our Monthly Newsletter

Online Form – Newsletter Signup

Continue Reading

Breast Reconstruction Surgery and Your Period

Breast Reconstruction Surgery and Your Period December 02, 2020 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin During our pre-operative appointment with patients, a topic that occasionally arises is menstrual cycles. It is completely normal for women to experience changes with their periods throughout breast cancer treatments. These can be temporary or permanent. Periods can be unpredictable following […]

What Bras and Abdominal Girdles to Wear After Breast Reconstruction Surgery

What Bras and Abdominal Girdles to Wear After Breast Reconstruction Surgery November 17, 2020 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin When preparing for breast reconstruction surgery, many patients want to know what types of bras and abdominal girdles they should plan to wear after surgery. Although every surgeon has slightly different preferences, we have put together […]

My 5 DIEP Flap Realities | A Guest Blog From Julie

My 5 DIEP Flap Realities October 28, 2020 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin Hi everyone, my name is Julie from It’s a Bosom Thing. I am so happy to be here as a guest blogger and have this opportunity to share with you a few thoughts about life after DIEP Flap Surgery. I was diagnosed […]

PRMA’s BRA Day Virtual Event Recap

PRMA’s BRA Day Virtual Event Recap September 08, 2020 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin Yesterday we celebrated Breast Reconstruction Awareness day! Although we missed seeing everyone in person this year, we were still able to spread education and awareness on ALL reconstructive options through our virtual efforts. We were also able to share information on […]

Second Stage DIEP Flap Surgery

Second Stage DIEP Flap Surgery September 08, 2020 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin DIEP flap breast reconstruction is typically comprised of at least two stages for the best outcomes. The second stage of surgery is commonly referred to as the “revision” stage and is usually performed about three months after the initial reconstruction. The purpose […]

flaps good option for breast reconstruction_ PRMA Plastic Surgery

If ‘Flaps’ Are Such A Great Breast Reconstruction Option, Why Doesn’t Everyone Get Them?

If ‘Flaps’ Are Such A Great Breast Reconstruction Option, Why Doesn’t Everyone Get Them? September 08, 2020 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin Flap-based breast reconstruction procedures, like the DIEP flap, offer patients a safe, natural implant-alternative option to reconstruction after a mastectomy. Flap surgeries are permanent and are associated with fewer complications after radiation when […]

Skin Island in Breast Reconstruction _ PRMA Plastic Surgery

What is a Skin Island and How is it Used in Breast Reconstruction?

What is a Skin Island and How is it Used in Breast Reconstruction? September 08, 2020 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin What is a “skin island”? The term “skin island” is used to describe the remaining visible skin from a transplanted “flap” of tissue. In the setting of DIEP flap breast reconstruction, the skin island […]

Comparing APEX Flap and DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction

Comparing APEX Flap and DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction August 10, 2020 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin We have been receiving numerous inquiries about the “APEX flap” recently. Patients want to know what it is and how it differs from the DIEP flap. APEX is an acronym that stands for “Abdominal Perforator Exchange”. Many patients believe […]

Monitoring the Health of Your Flap During & After Surgery

Monitoring the Health of Your Flap During & After Surgery July 21, 2020 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin Autologous flap (or tissue) breast reconstruction procedures represent today’s most advanced options for rebuilding a breast(s) following mastectomy. The most commonly performed method of flap-based reconstruction at PRMA is the DIEP flap. During this procedure, surgeons transplant skin […]

COVID-19 and the Impact on Cancer Patient’s Mortality

COVID-19 and the Impact on Cancer Patient’s Mortality July 21, 2020 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin There is still so much we do not know about COVID-19. Likewise, there is little known about how this disease impacts mortality for cancer patients. A study published in The Lancet evaluated and characterized the outcomes of patients with cancer […]

Tom

good results suggest – we did all the right things. research is proving positive!

Reply