Oncoplastic Breast Surgery in Sydney
What is oncoplastic breast surgery?
Oncoplastic breast cancer surgery is a relatively new surgical discipline. It involves surgical removal of a breast cancer, combined with plastic surgical techniques to achieve the best aesthetic outcome. Specialist oncoplastic breast surgeons undergo intensive training to perform these specialised procedures.
Oncoplastic surgery helps you to preserve your breast shape and appearance even if you have a large tumour. Procedures offered include therapeutic mammaplasty, flaps, lipofilling and breast reconstruction.
Is oncoplastic breast surgery safe?
Oncoplastic surgery does not compromise the safety of breast cancer surgery. In oncoplastic breast surgery, the tumour is removed, along with an adequate margin of normal breast tissue. Oncoplastic surgery actually allows for a large margin of healthy tissue to be removed along with the tumour, because plastic surgery techniques are used to repair the resulting defect.
How does oncoplastic breast surgery differ from breast conserving therapy?
Breast conserving therapy (BCT) has been used for many years as an alternative to mastectomy for the treatment of breast cancer. With BCT, rather than removing the whole breast, the tumour is removed together with a margin of healthy tissue. BCT has been shown to be a safe and effective treatment for breast cancer. However, it cannot be offered to all breast cancer patients. BCT is not an option for women with a large tumour. Also, the cosmetic results of BCT are often not ideal.
The difference between BCT and oncoplastic surgery, is that oncoplastic surgery uses plastic surgical techniques to repair the defect left by tumour removal. Oncoplastic surgery offers a better cosmetic result, and, unlike BCT, is an option for all breast cancer patients. Although some patients will require a total mastectomy, they can be offered a form of oncoplastic surgery called breast reconstruction.
What is a therapeutic mammoplasty?
A therapeutic mammoplasty combines removal of the breast cancer with breast reduction surgery. Breast reduction involves removal of tissue from both breasts, and elevation of the breasts to improve their shape. Patients with large breasts often find relief from neck and backache after their therapeutic mammaplasty. The side effects from radiation are also reduced.
What is used to replace the lost breast tissue after cancer surgery?
Various plastic surgery techniques may be used to replace the defect caused by cancer surgery. These include:
- Tissue flap surgery – Skin, fat and/or muscle tissue is transferred from another part of the body to fill up a defect in the breast. Tissue may be taken from your tummy, back or buttock.
- Lipofilling – Some of your own fat tissue is removed by liposuction and relocated to fill up the defect in your breast.
- Prosthesis – An implant, usually made of silicone, may be used during breast reconstruction surgery.
Where can I have oncoplastic breast surgery done?
Sydney Surgical Clinic is proud to offer the oncoplastic experience for your breast cancer. Oncoplastic surgery is usually done at the same time as breast cancer surgery, but can also be done at a later stage.
