Approximately one woman in eight will develop breast cancer at some point in her life. Among women who undergo mastectectomy, 16–30% will undergo breast reconstruction. Partial and total mastectomies may leave patients with breast defects that produce a tremendous amount of psychological distress. The goal of breast reconstruction is to safely create symmetrical natural-appearing breasts, improving self confidence and relieving the psychological impact of mastectomy or breast conservation therapy. Reconstruction may be performed immediately after mastectomy, or in a delayed fashion months to years after breast removal. Immediate reconstruction allows for several advantages including an additional operation under the same anesthetic, preservation of breast skin by occupying mastectomy space, and placement of an optimally sized structure during single stage procedures. An advantage of delayed reconstruction is that patients have more time to think about reconstructive options; they may postpone reconstruction until after other interventions such as radiation therapy or chemotherapy have been completed.

Breast reconstruction can be divided into two types: autologous tissue reconstruction or implant-expander reconstruction. Several factors are considered to determine the optimal type of reconstruction for each patient including health status, emotional state, cancer stage, and adjuvant therapy. A multidisciplinary approach is essential for the often challenging journey taken by breast cancer patients and their caregivers.