A couple of decades ago, breast cancer diagnosis meant removal of the entire breast along with aggressive chemotherapy and radiation therapy, what was popularly known as blanket treatment plan.
Thanks to the advancements in research and surgical techniques, removal of the entire breast or a mastectomy is no longer warranted in early stage, unifocal, uni-centric tumors in motivated patients. We now focus on personalized and customized treatment and surgical options based on stage and type of breast cancer.
Breast oncoplasty is one such revolutionary approach offering both cancer removal and aesthetic preservation.
The power of oncoplasty
This technique allows the surgeons to remove the cancerous breast tissue and to re-shape the breast simultaneously. While mastectomy may still be a necessary option in some cases, oncoplasty offers a more nuanced approach.
- Improved cosmetic outcomes: Oncoplastic techniques help create a more symmetric and natural looking breast after wide excision of the cancerous tumor. This helps to improve a woman’s self-confidence and body image in the treatment of breast cancer.
- Wider resection margins: Since a larger tumor area maybe removed in an attempt to re-shape the breast, it helps in better resection margins and enhances complete cancer removal.
- Preserving breast sensation: most of the breast and nipple sensation is preserved since less amount of tissue is disrupted. This also helps in the sexual wellbeing of a woman post cancer treatment.
Techniques in Oncoplasty
Based on the tumor location and size of the breast, there are various techniques described in literature which are broadly classified into volume replacement and displacement techniques.
- Rotation and advancement flaps: Breast tissue is mobilized from one quadrant of the breast to the area of tumor cavity after resection. Surrounding normal breast tissue is usually utilized for such techniques.
- Pedicle or free flaps:Tissue and fat surrounding the breast is redistributed to the tumor bed cavity. This is a useful technique in medium and small size breasts.
- Whole breast reconstruction:This is a technique which can be offered to woman requiring a mastectomy. One’s own body tissue can be used to re-make a new breast. Use of implants is also gaining popularity in breast reconstruction for cancer treatment.
Future of Breast surgery
As surgical techniques and technology improve, we can expect even more refined procedures with even better cosmetic and functional outcomes. Near scar less procedures with robotics in breast surgery is gaining popularity and would be a boon to the armamentarium of breast surgeons.
At Panacea Breast Clinic, we understand the importance of both effective cancer treatment and a positive body image. If you have any questions about breast cancer or oncoplasty, please do not hesitate to speak with our doctors.