To assess the risk of distant recurrence following major systemic infection after breast cancer surgery and evaluate the impact of other major events, including stroke, myocardial infarction, and pulmonary embolism.
Key Findings:
Among 82,102 patients, 1.8% experienced a major systemic infection within 90 days post-surgery.
Major systemic infection was associated with a 23% increased risk of distant recurrence (HR 1.23).
Overall mortality risk increased by 47% (HR 1.47) and breast cancer-specific death risk increased by 27% (HR 1.27).
No significant association was found between major systemic infection and locoregional recurrence.
Interpretation:
Major systemic infections post-breast cancer surgery significantly increase the risk of distant recurrence and mortality, emphasizing the need for effective management of postoperative infections.
Limitations:
Study limited to data from Sweden, which may not be generalizable to other populations.
Potential confounding factors, such as comorbidities and treatment variations, were not fully accounted for in analyses.
Conclusion:
Timely and effective treatment of postoperative infections is crucial to improve oncological outcomes in breast cancer patients, highlighting the need for enhanced clinical protocols.
