Oncoplastic Surgery: Advancement in Breast Cancer Surgery
As a referring provider, it's crucial to understand that oncoplastic surgery is now an integral component of all breast cancer surgeries. By incorporating aesthetic techniques into breast conservation procedures or mastectomies, we can significantly expand the range of options available to your patients diagnosed with breast cancer. This approach enhances the cosmetic results and improves outcomes for breast cancer patients.
What is oncoplastic breast surgery?
Oncoplastic breast surgery combines cancer removal (lumpectomy) with plastic surgery techniques to reshape the breast and optimize cosmetic outcomes. It allows for either wider tumor excision while maintaining or improving breast appearance, or options for breast-conserving surgery with even larger areas like multifocal or multicentric breast cancer. It is also useful for treating ductal carcinoma in situ which has excellent outcomes or for treating patients with invasive breast cancer surgery after neoadjuvant therapy.
Who are good candidates for oncoplastic breast surgery?
- Patients with single or multiple tumors in the breast where removal would create cosmetic defects.
- Women with larger breasts who are open to breast reduction.
- Those eligible for breast-conserving surgery (lumpectomy).
What are the benefits of oncoplastic surgery?
- Allows removal of more tissue to ensure clear margins
- Addresses breast deformity before radiation therapy
- Usually requires only one surgery
- Can improve breast symmetry
- May alleviate symptoms of large breasts
What types of oncoplastic procedures are available?
The type of procedure depends on defect size relative to breast size:
- Small defects: Local tissue rearrangement
- Medium defects: Breast reduction or lift techniques
- Large defects: Breast Reduction and local tissue rearrangements
Who performs oncoplastic surgery?
Breast surgeons and plastic surgeons trained in oncoplastic techniques along with a multidisciplinary team of experts.
What are the potential complications?
Bleeding, infection, changes in nipple sensation, wound healing issues, asymmetry. Some patients may need additional surgery.
How do long-term results compare to standard lumpectomy?
Studies show comparable oncologic outcomes to standard breast conservation therapy. However, cosmetic satisfaction is higher with oncoplastic approaches due to improved breast symmetry.
The Breast Oncology program at Moffitt Cancer Center is a high-volume program. Our surgeons have gained the highest level of expertise from regularly performing complex breast cancer procedures such as oncoplastic surgery. The skill of our surgeons translates directly into a better treatment experience for our patients, and in combination with our progressive surgical technologies, allows us to remove tumors that were once thought to be inoperable while optimizing cosmetic results.
We encourage you to refer qualifying breast cancer candidates to Moffitt for oncoplastic breast surgery. To refer a patient, complete our online form or contact a physician liaison. As part of our efforts to shorten referral times as much as possible, online referrals are typically responded to within 24 - 48 hours.
