Long-term outcome of adipose-derived regenerative cell-enriched autologous fat transplantation for reconstruction after breast-conserving surgery for Japanese women with breast cancer

Purpose: More effective methods are needed for breast reconstruction after breast-conserving surgery for breast cancer. The aim of this clinical study was to assess the perioperative and long-term outcomes of adipose-derived regenerative cell (ADRC)-enriched autologous fat grafting. Methods: Ten female patients who had undergone breast-conserving surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy for breast cancer were enrolled. An ADRC-enriched fat graft prepared from the patient’s adipose tissue was implanted at the time of adipose tissue harvest. The perioperative and long-term outcomes of the grafts, which included safety, efficacy, and questionnaire-based patient satisfaction, were investigated. Results: The mean operation time was 188 ± 30 min, and the mean duration of postoperative hospitalization was 1.2 ± 0.4 days. No serious postoperative complications were associated with the procedure. Neither recurrence nor metastatic disease was observed during the follow-up period (7.8 ± 1.5 years) after transplantation. Of 9 available patients, “more than or equal to average” satisfaction with breast appearance and overall satisfaction were reported by 6 (66.7%) and 5 (55.6%) patients, respectively. Conclusions: ADRC-enriched autologous fat transplantation is thus considered to be safe perioperatively, with no long-term recurrence, for patients with breast cancer treated by breast-conserving surgery, and it may be an option for breast reconstruction, even after adjuvant radiotherapy.