[Lipofilling in breast reconstruction: is there any population with higher risk of local recurrence? Literature systematic review]

Abstract

Safety of the autologous fat grafting (AFG) in the breast parenchyma remains a debated topic, particularly in reconstruction following breast cancer. This procedure still raises many questions, especially considering recent in vitro studies warning about the fact that lipofilling could promote tumor recurrence through increased neoangiogenesis, or facilitate metastasis. Through a systematic literature review on oncological risk and radiological follow-up, conducted from January 2010 to August 2014, we tried to identify populations at risk of recurrence after AFG. The study selection process was adapted from the Prisma statement. Out of the seven analysed patients cohorts, i.e. approximately 1500 AFG procedures, results on the risk of local recurrence appear reassuring after an average follow-up of 42 months. These results should be cautiously interpreted because of the heterogeneity of the studies. However, recurrences have been analysed based on the characteristics of the original tumor and many of them warn about population that seem more at risk of recurrence. Studies on radiological modifications after AFG emphasize the need for the radiologists to know the importance of radiological images induced by this procedure, however, AFG does not seem to interfere with radiological screening of local recurrence. In order to deliver clear information to patients receiving breast reconstruction by lipofilling, prospective studies focused on populations that seem to be most at risk of recurrence are required.

Keywords: Breast cancer; Breast reconstruction; Cancer du sein; Fat grafting; Lipofilling; Lipomodelage; Local recurrence; Oncological risk; Radiologic breast survey; Reconstruction mammaire; Risque carcinologique; Récidive locale; Surveillance radiologique du sein; Transfert de tissu adipeux.