What is oncoplastic breast surgery?
By Dr Caitlin Lim – Oncoplastic Breast Surgeon
Oncoplastic breast surgery aims to achieve the best possible cancer treatment outcome while also addressing the patient’s aesthetic goals and emotional well-being.
Oncoplastic breast surgery combines cancer removal surgery with plastic surgery techniques to remove breast cancer while preserving or restoring the breast’s natural shape and appearance. This approach aims to remove the tumour with clear margins while preserving as much healthy breast tissue as possible. It allows for wider cancer removal while minimizing cosmetic issues like dents, divots, or nipple distortion. In some cases, it can also reduce the need for mastectomy.
By reshaping the remaining breast tissue or using reconstructive techniques during the same procedure as cancer removal surgery, oncoplastic breast surgery can improve the overall aesthetic result, leading to higher patient satisfaction with their body image.
Key aspects of oncoplastic breast surgery
Combining oncology and plastic surgery, this technique integrates the principles of cancer removal with techniques to reshape and reconstruct the breast.
This surgery aims to minimize the cosmetic deformities that can result from traditional breast cancer surgery.
In some cases, oncoplastic techniques allow for more extensive tumour removal while still preserving a natural breast shape.
By allowing for more breast conservation, this surgery can reduce the number of women who need to undergo a full mastectomy.
Improved Cancer Control
The techniques used in oncoplastic surgery allow for wider excision of cancerous tissue, which can help achieve clear surgical margins (removing a rim of healthy tissue around the tumour).
It can potentially reduce the risk of local recurrence and may decrease the need for mastectomy in some cases.
Better Psychological and Emotional Well-being
Preserving a more natural breast shape and appearance can significantly improve a patient’s self-esteem and body image, reducing psychological distress associated with cancer treatment.
By minimizing the visible impact of surgery, oncoplastic techniques can positively affect a patient’s emotional recovery and overall quality of life.
Other Advantages
In most cases, oncoplastic surgery can be performed as a single procedure, combining cancer removal and reconstruction, which can reduce the number of surgeries and anesthesia exposures.
Studies have shown that oncoplastic surgery may lead to lower rates of re-excision (additional surgery to remove more tissue) compared to traditional breast-conserving surgery.
Conclusion
Oncoplastic breast surgery in Australia has shown promising survivorship rates, with studies indicating equivalent or improved outcomes compared to traditional breast-conserving surgery or mastectomy. Specifically, oncoplastic breast-conserving surgery with radiotherapy has demonstrated high overall and breast cancer-specific survival rates at 10 years. Furthermore, oncoplastic surgery allows for broader tumour sizes and pathology to be considered for breast conservation, without compromising oncologic outcomes.
It offers a more holistic approach to breast cancer treatment in Australia by addressing both the oncological and aesthetic aspects of the disease, potentially leading to better physical and psychological outcomes for patients.
Learn more about Dr Caitlin Lim and other breast surgeons at The George Centre here https://thegeorgecentre.com.au/specialisation/breast/
