Breast Tissue Reconstruction Strategies: A Tissue Engineering Approach

Abstract

Breast cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed malignancy among women worldwide. Standard treatment often involves mastectomy, followed by chemotherapy and/or radiation. Approximately 40% of patients undergo breast reconstruction to address the physical and psychological effects of tissue loss. Since the first autologous breast reconstruction described in 1887, both autologous and alloplastic techniques have evolved significantly to improve patient outcomes. However, current approaches are limited by issues such as the inability to restore biological breast function, suboptimal tissue integration, and concerns over long-term implant viability. Tissue engineering has emerged as a promising field capable of overcoming these limitations. Since the 1990s, advances in biomaterials, stem cell research, and regenerative strategies have enabled the development of vascularized, patient-specific constructs with potential applications in both structural and functional breast reconstruction. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the evolution of breast reconstruction techniques and the integration of tissue engineering into the field. Particular emphasis is placed on tissue engineering's role in enhancing breast cancer treatment and diagnosis while also exploring future directions toward functional restoration, including lactation.

Keywords: bioprinting; breast cancer; breast reconstruction; decellularization; mastectomy; nipple-areolar complex; recellularization; scaffold; stem cells; tissue engineering.