Can Breast Cancer return in a Reconstructed Breast?

Some women are scared to consider breast reconstruction after a mastectomy because they think it will increase the risk of the breast cancer coming back. This is a common misconception. Thankfully, it's not the case.
Breast cancer can come back even after a mastectomy. However, the risk of the cancer returning (ie a "recurrence") after a mastectomy is very low and is the same whether you have breast reconstruction or not. Studies have compared patients with similar stage breast cancers and found no difference in recurrence between patients undergoing mastectomy alone (without reconstruction) and those having skin-sparing mastectomy and reconstruction.
When the patient's own tissue is used for the reconstruction (as in a "flap" procedure), only skin, fat, and (sometimes) muscle are used. This tissue is used to replace breast tissue and feels like a breast, but it never turns into real breast tissue. Since it isn't real breast tissue, the flap d oesn't increase the risk of a new cancer forming. 
While it is possible for breast cancer to recur after a mastectomy, breast reconstruction (either with an implant or flap) does not increase the risk of a new cancer forming, or the previous cancer returning.
I hope this info helps.
Dr C*****PRMA Plastic Surgery specializes in advancedbreast reconstruction includingDIEP flap,SIEA flap,GAP flap,TUG flap,Alloderm One-Step andfat grafting. We are In-Network for most US insurance plans and routinely welcome patients from acro...
Source: Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog - Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: breast cancer breast cancer recurrence breast reconstruction reconstructed breast Source Type: blogs