Research advances in radiotherapy after mastectomy combined with phase I breast reconstruction for invasive breast cancer

The increasing need for ideal body shape makes more and more patients choose to receive different types of breast reconstruction surgery alter mastectomy. Right now, it is a key problem for the multidisciplinary treatment to find an optimal sequence of comprehensive treatment from which those patients can receive the maximum benefits and a good balance between ideal body shape and satisfactory antitumor outcomes. This paper reviews the latest research advances in the effect of postoperative radiotherapy on breast shape after breast reconstruction, the sequential relationship between the replacement of the temporary tissue expander with the permanent breast prosthesis and postoperative radiotherapy, breast construction surgery, and radiotherapy techniques. To provide a basis for clinical practice, this paper proposes a flow chart for decision-making in reconstruction surgery and adjuvant treatment based on the current literature and clinical data. (authors)