Mastectomy
Traditional surgery for breast cancer involves removal of the entire breast (Mastectomy). Inorder to save the breast, Breast Conservation surgery is done. Surgery consists of removal of the lump alone while the remaining breast tissue is irradiated to reduce the risk of disease recurrence.
In the traditional Breast Conservation surgery, no attempt to conceal the scar is made while the cavity created by the removal of the lump is not filled with tissue. Even though the disease is cured in these individuals but they need to live with aesthetically inferior breasts.
In order to overcome these aesthetic challenges while retaining the success of disease cure, a new method of breast conservation was introduced. This is called Oncoplasty where the post lumpectomy defect in the breast is reconstructed.
Oncoplasty
Large Tumors
Oncoplastic breast surgery is a specialized approach of Breast Conservation surgery (Partial Breast Reconstruction) that combines oncologic surgery (removal of cancerous tissue) with plastic surgery techniques to treat breast cancer while preserving or enhancing the aesthetic appearance of the breast. The oncoplastic technique overcomes the challenges of traditional BCS like skin retraction or loss of breast shape.
Oncoplastic breast surgery is a specialized approach of Breast Conservation surgery (Partial Breast Reconstruction) that combines oncologic surgery (removal of cancerous tissue) with plastic surgery techniques to treat breast cancer while preserving or enhancing the aesthetic appearance of the breast. The oncoplastic technique overcomes the challenges of traditional BCS like skin retraction or loss of breast shape.
The experts at Hyderabad Breast Clinics specialize in this modern surgical technique where we use chemotherapy to reduce the size of the tumor and allow minimal removal of the breast tissue so that more of the natural tissues are retained for better cosmetic outcomes.
This approach is designed to ensure optimal cancer treatment without compromising the cosmetic outcomes, which can have a significant impact on a patient's quality of life after surgery.
Key Principles of Oncoplastic Surgery
Cancer Removal
The primary goal of oncoplastic surgery is the safe removal of cancerous tissue while ensuring clear surgical margins (meaning no cancer cells are left behind in the edges of the removed tissue). The extent of tissue removal depends on the size, location, and stage of the tumor.
Breast Aesthetics
After the cancer is removed, reconstructive techniques are applied to reshape the breast, minimize deformities, and maintain symmetry with the other breast. This may involve rearranging the remaining breast tissue, performing a breast reduction, or using implants or autologous tissue reconstruction. The biggest cosmetic advantage is because of strategic placement of scars to hide them.
Benefits of Oncoplastic Surgery
Improved Cosmetic Outcomes
By combining cancer removal with plastic surgery techniques, oncoplastic surgery minimizes disfigurement and leads to better cosmetic outcomes compared to standard lumpectomy or mastectomy. The goal is to maintain the shape, size, and symmetry of the breasts.
Reduced Psychological Impact
Oncoplastic surgery helps address the emotional and psychological effects of breast cancer surgery by preserving or enhancing the patient's appearance. This can contribute to better self-esteem, body image, and quality of life after surgery.
Larger Tumors Can Be Treated with Breast-Conserving Surgery
Oncoplastic techniques enable surgeons to safely remove larger tumors without compromising the breast’s appearance. In many cases, women who would have previously required a mastectomy can instead undergo breast-conserving surgery.
Single-Stage Surgery
Oncoplastic surgery can often be done in a single operation, where cancer removal and breast reconstruction are performed simultaneously, minimizing the need for additional surgeries.
Symmetry Procedures
In cases where one breast has been reshaped or reduced in size due to cancer removal, oncoplastic surgery allows for symmetry procedures on the unaffected breast, such as a lift or reduction, to ensure a balanced appearance.
Who is a Candidate for Oncoplastic Surgery?
Oncoplastic surgery is generally suitable for:
- Women with early-stage breast cancer.
- Women who are eligible for breast-conserving surgery (lumpectomy).
- Women with large breasts who may benefit from a therapeutic mammoplasty or breast reduction.
- Women concerned about the cosmetic outcomes of breast cancer surgery, particularly if the tumor is in a visible location (e.g., near the cleavage or nipple).
- Women with larger tumors who want to avoid mastectomy but still wish for a good aesthetic result are often given chemotherapy prior surgery to reduce the size of tumor.
Recovery and Considerations
Recovery Time
Recovery from oncoplastic surgery may take longer than standard lumpectomy or mastectomy due to the additional reconstructive procedures. Recovery times can vary based on the extent of the surgery and individual healing rates.
Patients may experience some bruising, swelling, and discomfort, which typically improves within a few weeks.
Radiation Therapy
After oncoplastic breast-conserving surgery, patients will mandatorily require radiation therapy to reduce the risk of cancer recurrence. Oncoplastic techniques are designed to maintain the breast's shape even after radiation.
Potential Risks
As with any surgery, there are risks such as infection, bleeding, delayed wound healing, or asymmetry. Some patients may require revision surgery to correct any cosmetic issues or complications.
Follow-Up
Long-term follow-up with regular mammograms or imaging studies is essential for monitoring breast health after oncoplastic surgery, especially if a lumpectomy was performed.
Conclusion
Oncoplastic breast surgery offers a unique combination of cancer treatment and cosmetic enhancement, making it a valuable option for women facing breast cancer surgery. It allows for the safe removal of cancer while maintaining or improving the breast’s appearance, providing both physical and emotional benefits. Hyderabad Breast Clinics is one of the select few centres in India that can offer Breast Conservation using Oncoplastic techniques. Our expert surgeons have decades of experience in breast cancer care and further they have extensive experience in Oncoplastic surgical techniques.
