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Systemic Treatment of Breast Cancer and Breast Reconstruction

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Oncoplastic and Reconstructive Breast Surgery

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Abstract

Systemic treatment with chemotherapy and endocrine therapy is an integral part of the multidisciplinary treatment of breast cancer. Adjuvant treatment with the selective estrogen receptor modulator tamoxifen significantly improves disease-free and overall survival of breast cancer patients; however, it can interfere with coagulation and has been associated with complications when used during microsurgical breast reconstruction. Neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy, on the other hand, can potentially complicate breast reconstruction by impairing wound healing and by increasing the risk of infectious events. Nonetheless, there is no evidence in the medical literature showing that chemotherapy significantly interferes with surgical outcomes of plastic surgery. On the other hand, there has been a suggestion that breast reconstruction can cause a slight delay in the commencement of adjuvant of chemotherapy; this finding was not supported by other authors. In summary, the association of chemotherapy and breast reconstruction seems to be safe and feasible.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical and Experimental Oncology, Federal University of São Paulo-UNIFESP, São Paulo, Brazil

    Sergio D. Simon

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  1. Sergio D. Simon
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Correspondence to Sergio D. Simon .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. , BreastUnit, Hospital Nossa Senhora das Gracas, Rua Padre Agostinho 913 ap 51, Curitiba, 80430050, Brazil

    Cicero Urban

  2. , Plastic and Reconstructive Division, European Institute of Oncology, Via Ripamonti, 435, Milan, 20100, Italy

    Mario Rietjens

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© 2013 Springer-Verlag Italia

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Simon, S.D. (2013). Systemic Treatment of Breast Cancer and Breast Reconstruction. In: Urban, C., Rietjens, M. (eds) Oncoplastic and Reconstructive Breast Surgery. Springer, Milano. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-2652-0_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-2652-0_9

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Milano

  • Print ISBN: 978-88-470-2651-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-88-470-2652-0

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