Factors associated with decision to pursue mastectomy and breast reconstruction for treatment of ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast

Abstract Background Factors influencing the treatment of ductal carcinoma in situ with mastectomy and reconstruction are poorly understood. Methods A retrospective cohort study of 196 patients presenting to one institution was performed. Results Forty-seven patients (24.0%) were treated with mastectomy, while 149 (76.0%) underwent breast-conserving surgery. Of the mastectomy patients, 28 (59.6%) elected for reconstruction. On bivariate analysis, patients who opted for mastectomy were younger than those treated with breast-conserving surgery (median age, 51.8 vs 56.5 years; P = .017) and had higher grade tumors (50.0% vs 34.6% grade 3, P = .009). Among patients treated with mastectomy, those who opted for reconstruction were younger than those forgoing reconstruction (49.4 vs 56.9 years, P = .024). Race, ductal carcinoma in situ tumor size, and histologic subtype were not associated with the decision to pursue mastectomy or reconstruction ( P > .05 for all). Conclusions In patients with ductal carcinoma in situ, the decision to pursue mastectomy and reconstruction appears to be driven by younger patient age and higher tumor grade.