Abstract:Background: There has been conflicting evidence on the impact of bilateral breast

Introduction: The inflammatory response to a post-operative infection can increase the risk of tumour recurrence in cancer through the release of pro-inflammatory mediators. The aim of this study was review the literature to assess the relationship between post-operative complications and cancer recurrence. Methods: We performed a literature review of the mechanism of such an association and looked at evidence in different cancer subtypes. Results: A relationship has been identified for many cancer subtypes, and multiple theories have been proposed for the mechanism of this association. Methods to reduce post-operative complications may impact positively on cancer recurrence rates. Conclusion: This review demonstrates that wound complications after surgery can have significant implications for cancer patients. Strategies are required to minimize the risk of post-operative wound complications in patients undergoing cancer resection.

This study has demonstrated that wound complications after immediate breast reconstructive surgery have significant implications for patients with breast cancer. Strategies are required to minimize the risk of postoperative wound complications in patients with breast cancer undergoing immediate reconstruction.

BackgroundRecent studies have shown that breast cancer subtype can change from the primary tumour to the recurrence. Discordance between primary and recurrent breast cancer has implications for further treatment and ultimately prognosis. The aim of the study was to determine the rate of change between primary and recurrence of breast cancer and to assess the impact of these changes on survival and potential treatment options.MethodsPatient demographics were collected on those who underwent surgery for breast cancer between 2001 and 2014 and had a recurrence with biopsy results and pathology scoring of both the primary and recurrence.ResultsOne hundred thirty two consecutive patients were included. There were 31 (23.5%) changes in subtype. Discordance occurred most frequently in luminal A breast cancer (n = 20), followed by triple negative (n = 4), luminal B (n = 3) and HER2 (n = 3). Patients who changed from luminal A to triple negative (n = 18) had a significantly worse post-recurrence survival (p < 0.05) with overall survival approaching significance (p = 0.064) compared to concordant luminal A cases (n = 46). Overall receptor discordance rates were: estrogen receptor 20.4% (n = 27), progesterone receptor 37.7% (n = 50) and HER2 3% (n = 4). Loss of estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor was more common than gain (21 vs. 6 (p = 0.04) and 44 vs. 6 (p = 0.01) respectively). Nine patients (6.8%) gained receptor status potentially impacting treatment options.ConclusionDiscordance in subtype and receptor status occurs between primary and recurrent breast cancer, ultimately affecting survival and potentially impacting treatment options.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12885-018-4101-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.