Abstract:

Objective

To explore the surgery and repair of giant locally advanced breast cancer.

Methods

Eight patients with giant locally advanced breast cancer in our department from 2006 to 2009 were reviewed retrospectively,including 6 patients with primary tumor and 2 patients with recurrent tumor.The analysis focused on the surgery and repair methods.

Results

Three patients underwent full thickness chest wall resection and chest wall defects were repaired with titanium plates.The soft tissue defects of the 8 patients were repaired with flaps and myocutaneous flaps.No severe complications or deaths occurred after surgery.All flaps survived well.The three patients who underwent full thickness chest wall repair maintained normal post-operative respiratory function with no paradoxical breathing observed.

Conclusions

Surgery is a viable treatment option for most patients with giant locally advanced breast cancer.Defects repair is one of the most important procedures and frequently need multi-disciplinary collaborations between departments including the department of plastic and reconstructive surgery,which can improve patients'survival and elevate the conditions of multi-therapies.

Key words: Breast neoplasms, Surgery, Thoracic wall defects, Repair