A population-based analysis of secondary malignancies in breast cancer patients receiving breast reconstruction

BACKGROUND: There is an ongoing debate about the relationship between breast implants and secondary malignancies. METHODS: Breast cancer patients undergoing surgical reconstruction after mastectomy by either implants or autologous flap were identified in the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results registry between 1998 and 2002. The occurrence of secondary malignancies at least 1 year after diagnosis was compared between breast reconstruction with implants vs autologous flap. RESULTS: Of 7955 women, 3727 underwent reconstruction using implants and 4228 using autologous flap. The incidence of secondary tumours was similar in both the groups (hazards ratio (HR)=1.02, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.82–1.26, P=0.880). For lung cancer, a significantly increased risk for implants (HR=2.51, 95% CI: 1.28–4.95, P=0.005) was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Except for lung cancer, no association between implants and secondary malignancies including lymphomas was observed.