Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women in both the United States and the world. Despite a variety of hormonal, cytotoxic and biologic approaches, a significant number of tumors will recur in the chest wall and axillary area following primary treatment. Any local recurrence of breast cancer after mastectomy is generally regarded as a poor prognostic indicator. However, it is also generally agreed that those who present without measurable metastatic disease at the time of loco-regional recurrence (LRR) have a more favorable disease and may experience long-term survival. Overall up to 35% of women with operable breast cancer will experience an isolated LRR following their primary treatment. Patients with LRR suffer from disfiguring tumors and other clinical signs and symptoms including pain, lymphedema limiting range of motion in the affected extremity, foul-smelling wounds, and a visual reminder of tumor progression. Up to 40% of patients undergoing a mastectomy as their primary treatment will experience a recurrence at the chest wall or overlying skin (RCW).