Improved Overall Well-Being After Breast Conserving Therapy Using Three-Dimensional Bioabsorbable Markers and Tissue Rearrangement, a Single Institution’s Preliminary Experience

Abstract

Tissue rearrangement (TR) is a basic oncoplastic technique to reshape the breast after breast conserving therapy (BCT). Tissue rearrangement can be combined with three-dimensional bioabsorbable markers (3DBM) as an easily adaptable technique to provide volume replacement and focused radiation. Since 3DBM can take time for absorption and symptoms related to its use have not been fully assessed, we evaluate patient’s overall satisfaction and well-being after TR with 3DBM is performed. We surveyed patients receiving BCT with adjuvant radiotherapy using BREAST-QTM BCT satisfaction and physical well-being surveys comparing patients receiving BCT alone to BCT with TR and/or 3DBM. Of 68 patients, 56 underwent BCT alone, 10 had BCT with TR + 3DBM, and 2 had BCT with TR. No significant difference was seen in physical well-being ( P = .39), while overall satisfaction was significantly improved following TR + 3DBM ( P = .0088). In summary, TR with use of 3DBM provides basic oncoplastic options to improve patient satisfaction without significantly changing symptoms.