The surgical pathology of breast cancer in relation to reconstruction after mastectomy.

Pathological features such as tumour type, tumour size and lymph node invasion have an important bearing on the prognosis of the patient with breast cancer. It is suggested that such prognostic factors should be considered in the selection of women for post-mastectomy breast reconstruction. The implications of pathological and other factors are reviewed and a summary of favourable prognostic factors is presented.