Oncoplastic Breast Surgery

What is oncoplastic breast surgery?

Oncoplastic Breast Surgery is a reconstructive surgery that combines surgical oncology with the latest plastic surgery techniques. It can be used to avoid a breast reconstruction by avoiding a complete mastectomy and performed at the same time as a lumpectomy. This can reduce or eliminate the need for a separate reconstructive surgery, by including a re-shaping into the initial removal surgery, when possible. The surgeon delicately balances oncological needs with aesthetic aims, using techniques to prevent and mitigate deformity to the breast, to deliver the best possible aesthetic result. Read more on surgery and your breasts here.

Suitability for oncoplastic surgery

Although oncoplastic breast surgery is ideal for most women, it may not be suitable for everyone. Your breast size, overall health and the size of a tumour compared to the size of a breast may make an oncoplastic procedure unsuitable for you.

Advantages of oncoplastic surgery

• Best possible cosmetic result, compared to other breast cancer removal techniques

• Reduces or eliminates the need for later reconstructive surgery

• Can better address tumours and symptoms in large breasts.

• The surgeon can remove more tissue, ensuring all margins are clear of cancer

• Less risk of other medical problems occurring than a traditional mastectomy surgery

What takes place during oncoplastic surgery?

The exact type of procedure performed depends on the size and location of the tumour, as well as the size of the breast being operated on.

• If removing a tumour only creates a small defect, the breast tissue can be rearranged to compensate and minimise the deformity.

• If a medium-sized defect is created, a breast reduction or breast lift may be performed alongside the tumour removal to produce a better cosmetic result.

• If a procedure results in one breast being noticeably different in size to the other, the unaffected breast may also be operated on to create better symmetry.

In cases where tumour removal creates a larger defect, a local flap may be taken from another part of the body, to replace the removed breast tissue. 

What to expect after oncoplastic surgery

Following an oncoplastic procedure, the natural shape and structure of the breasts is preserved as much as possible, although the shape and feel will be different to before. Some pain is normal as the anaesthetic wears off.

Some women can go home the day of the surgery with minimal pain, although women who have had a more extensive oncoplastic surgery (like a breast reduction) may experience more pain and need to remain in hospital for an extra day or two. A post-surgery bra should be worn.

You can generally expect to return to a normal routine after about 6 weeks, although your individual procedure will impact on your recovery time and should be discussed with your surgeon before your procedure

The goal of oncoplastic breast surgery is to produce a satisfying cosmetic result following a lumpectomy. What this means for you, and what is possible, will be decided by you and your surgeon before the procedure. Some approaches can aim for minimal scarring, while others trade-off some visible scarring in favour of a more natural shape. Read more on wound management here.