Patient-reported outcomes after immediate and delayed DIEP-flap breast reconstruction in the setting of post-mastectomy radiation therapy—results of the multicenter UMBRELLA breast cancer cohort

Purpose: Timing of Deep Inferior Epigastric artery Perforator (DIEP)-flap breast reconstruction in the context of post-mastectomy radiotherapy for breast cancer patients is topic of debate. We compared the impact of immediate (before radiotherapy) versus delayed (after radiotherapy) DIEP-flap breast reconstruction (IBR versus DBR) on short- and long-term patient-reported outcomes (PROs). Methods: Within the prospective, multicenter breast cancer cohort (UMBRELLA), we identified 88 women who underwent immediate or delayed DIEP-flap breast reconstruction and received PMRT. At 6 and 12 months post-mastectomy, as well as on long-term (≥ 12 months post-reconstruction) body image, breast symptoms, physical functioning, and pain were measured by EORTC-QLQ-30/BR23. Additionally, long-term evaluation included satisfaction with breast(s), physical well-being and self-reported adverse effects of radiation as measured by BREAST-Q, and late treatment toxicity. PROs were compared between groups using independent sample T-test. Results: IBR was performed in 56 patients (64%) and DBR in 32 patients (36%), with 15 months of median time to reconstruction. At 6 and 12 months post-mastectomy, better body image and physical functioning were observed after IBR. No statistically nor clinically relevant differences were observed in long-term EORTC and BREAST-Q outcomes (median follow-up 37–41 months for IBR vs. 42–46 months for DBR). Patients with IBR reported more fibrosis and movement restriction (median follow-up 29 vs. 61 months, resp.). Conclusion: Long-term PROs were comparable for patients with IBR and DBR, despite more patient-reported fibrosis and movement restriction after IBR. Therefore, both treatment pathways can be considered when opting for autologous breast reconstruction in the setting of PMRT.