Oncoplastic surgery; volume displacement techniques for breast conserving surgery in patients with breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Surgical management of breast cancer has drastically changed. Breast-conserving surgery (BCS) has now become a commonly used method for its treatment. Oncoplastic techniques are widely applied with satisfactory aesthetic results. We evaluated the aesthetic and oncological outcomes of BCS with glandular tissue displacement techniques. METHODS: Seventy-five patients with invasive breast cancer were surgically treated by oncoplastic techniques. Preoperative evaluations, including breast and tumor size, localizations and features, were performed by physical examination, imaging methods, and histopathological analysis. Appropriate volume displacement techniques were planned according to breast and tumor size and localization. Early and late aesthetic results were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 54 years, and mean tumor size was 25 mm. Tumors were located in the upper-outer quadrant in 44% of patients. Glandular flaps were used in 55 (73%) patients. Racquet mammoplasty was the most preferred method. Nipple areolar complex (NAC) recentralization was performed in 26 (47.3%) of 55 patients with glandular tissue displacement. Therapeutic reduction mammoplasty was performed in 20 patients. All patients underwent adjuvant radiotherapy. After an average follow-up of 24 months, neither locoregional recurrence nor distant metastases were observed. Aesthetic results of the oncoplastic BCS method were very good in 54 (72%) patients. CONCLUSION: Breast remodeling by glandular flap displacement after a wide local excision should be the primary aim in patients with breast cancer for better aesthetic outcomes. NAC recentralization is the primary component that could be considered for achieving better results. BCS associated with oncoplastic techniques allows wide excision of larger tumors and provides good and satisfactory aesthetic results at long-term follow-up.

Factors that Affect Patients' Decision-Making about Mastectomy or Breast Conserving Surgery, and the Psychological Effect of this Choice on Breast Cancer Patients.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. Primary treatment is surgery, with breast conserving surgery (BCS) being widely used for early-stage disease. Due to changes in body image, depressive symptoms can occur after surgery. Here, we evaluate factors that affect patients' decision on surgery, and investigate differences in the level of depression after mastectomy or BCS in a population of Turkish patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred breast cancer patients who had undergone mastectomy or BCS and were followed up at our institution between 2007 and 2008 were included. Patients were questioned about their involvement in surgical decision-making. Depression was diagnosed according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III) criteria via a Structural Clinical Interview for DSM (SCID). Severity of depression was evaluated by using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). RESULTS: Patients who were older than 50 years, had more than 1 child, a history of lactation, and a positive family history of breast cancer mostly preferred mastectomy. However, patients who sought a second opinion and further information on BCS preferred BCS (p < 0.005). There was no statistical correlation between marital status, first childbearing age, and educational status and the decision on surgery type (p > 0.005). Mastectomy patients were prone to depression, but this was not statistically significant (p = 0.099). CONCLUSION: Age, parenthood, lactation, and positive familial history, as well as thorough information about the type of surgery were important factors for the patients' decision. After breast cancer surgery, patients might experience depression affecting treatment and quality of life. Therefore, adequate information and communication are essential.