Capsular contracture after lumpectomy and radiation therapy in patients who have undergone uncomplicated bilateral augmentation mammoplasty.

PURPOSE: To assess complications and cosmesis in patients with breast cancer who underwent lumpectomy and radiation therapy and who previously underwent uncomplicated bilateral augmentation mammoplasty.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-one patients (aged 36-70 years; median age, 50 years) with breast cancer who had previously undergone bilateral breast augmentation without complications underwent ipsilateral lumpectomy and radiation therapy. Radiation therapy was delivered to the augmented breast in opposed tangential fields with a 4- or 6-MV linear accelerator. The tangential fields received an average radiation dose of 5,021 cGy (range, 4,500-5,600 cGy), with an average fraction of 187 cGy (range, 180- 200 cGy). Sixteen patients received an additional 1,000-2,000-cGy boost to the surgical bed with a 9-18-MeV electron beam. Follow-up was 4-48 months (median, 22 months).
RESULTS: At the last follow-up examination, 18 (86%) of the 21 patients were free of disease. Twelve patients had capsular contracture (57%). Seven patients underwent attempted surgical repair of capsular contracture. Twelve patients (57%) reported fair to poor cosmesis. The radiation dose, the location of the implant, the type of implant, and systemic therapy were not correlated with poor cosmesis.
CONCLUSION: Lumpectomy and radiation therapy in patients with breast cancer who have previously undergone augmentation mammoplasty result in a high prevalence of capsular contracture and suboptimal cosmesis.