Key points
- Oncoplastic surgery helps to maintain breast cosmesis without compromising treatment outcomes.
- For some large tumours, oncoplastic surgery avoids the need for a mastectomy.
- Radiation therapy is still required.
Content:
Oncoplastic breast conservation surgery aims to improve breast cosmesis without compromising treatment outcomes. Using techniques from breast cancer surgery and plastic surgery, the surgery allows the tumour to be excised with adequate cancer-free margins while maintaining a good cosmetic result.
Multiple techniques used in oncoplastic surgery include:
- reconstruction of the breast area where the tumour has been excised
- eliminating surgical cavities that would otherwise cause distortion
- incision placement to reduce visible scarring
- contralateral procedures for symmetrisation (e.g. breast reduction or breast lift).
Oncoplastic techniques in breast conserving surgery may enable some larger tumours to be excised without the need for mastectomy.
Radiation therapy is currently required for all patients undergoing breast-conserving surgery; omission should only be in the context of a clinical trial.
Further surgery may be required if adequate clear margins are not achieved. For some patients, a mastectomy will be required.
