MRI appearance of tumor recurrence in myocutaneous flap reconstruction after mastectomy

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this perspective is to describe the role of breast MRI in the detection of local tumor recurrence in myocutaneous flap reconstructions and in the evaluation of extent of disease. CONCLUSION: Recognizing the MRI appearance of tumor recurrence in breast myocutaneous flap reconstructions is important for early detection of recurrence and in the evaluation of extent of disease to guide clinical management. Bilateral breast MRI for high-risk cancer screening of the native breast is a unique opportunity to detect recurrence in the reconstructed breast before it is clinically apparent. We describe a range of MRI appearances of breast cancer recurrence in patients with myocutaneous flap reconstructions.