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Surgery Insight: oncoplastic breast-conserving reconstruction—indications, benefits, choices and outcomes

Nature Clinical Practice Oncology volume 4, pages 657–664 (2007)Cite this article

Abstract

Until recently, the surgical management of breast cancer has centered around two main options—either tumor resection by carrying out breast-conserving surgery or mastectomy with or without reconstruction. Lately, techniques that combine the skills of resection with those of reconstruction in one procedure are leading to the emergence of a third approach—oncoplastic breast-conserving reconstruction. This approach involves reconstruction of resection defects either by volume replacement or by volume displacement. Both techniques are adaptations of conventional methods of breast reconstruction or breast reduction. Emerging data on the oncological and cosmetic outcomes of oncoplastic breast-conserving reconstruction are confirming the clinical utility of this new approach to the surgical management of patients with breast cancer.

Key Points

  • Breast-conserving reconstruction is extending the role of breast-conserving surgery, and is preventing the need for mastectomy in an increasing number of patients

  • Breast-conserving reconstruction enables very wide resection of the tumor without the unsightly deformity that often follows the removal of 20–50% of the breast

  • Reconstruction of the resection defect is achieved by the transposition of tissue from elsewhere, or by recruiting tissue from within the breast

  • These techniques hybridize the skills of the oncological and reconstructive surgeon in one procedure

  • Early results suggest that this approach has a promising future in the surgical management of patients with breast cancer

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Figure 1: Volume replacement.
Figure 2: Volume replacement.
Figure 3: Volume displacement.
Figure 4: Volume displacement.
Figure 5: Volume displacement.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. RM Rainsbury is Director of the Oncoplastic Breast Unit, at The Royal Hampshire County Hospital, Winchester, UK.,

    Richard M Rainsbury

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  1. Richard M Rainsbury
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Correspondence to Richard M Rainsbury.

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The author declares no competing financial interests.

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Rainsbury, R. Surgery Insight: oncoplastic breast-conserving reconstruction—indications, benefits, choices and outcomes. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 4, 657–664 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/ncponc0957

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/ncponc0957

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