"V"-technique as a method of breast conserving surgery in multifocal and T2 invasive breast cancers situated in the upper outer quadrant.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To assess the oncologic and cosmetic outcomes in women with multifocal breast cancers or T2 tumours with diameters larger than 3 cm situated in the upper outer quadrant who were treated with "V"-technique. METHODS: From July 1999 till June 2003, 44 conserving surgeries with "V"-technique using a local rotational flap were performed. Localization of tumours was in the upper outer quadrant. All solid tumours were larger than 3 cm in diameter In all patients, axillary lymph node dissection was performed. All the patients received postoperative radiotherapy. Mean follow-up was 58 months. RESULTS: Out of 44 conserving surgeries with "V"-technique, an adequate distance of tumour from the margins was obtained in 84.1% (37/44). Out of 37 patients who underwent conserving surgery with this technique, the cosmetic result was favourable in 83.78% (31/37). None of these patients had a corrective surgery such as reduction mammaplasty or mastopexy. Mean weight of excised tissue was 215 g. The 5-year local recurrence rate was 10.8%. The 5-year metastasis-free survival rate was 81.1%. The 5-year overall survival rate was 86.5%. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical treatment of multifocal and T2 breast cancers larger than 3 cm in diameter situated in the upper outer quadrant and performed with "V"-technique gives a good aesthetic result and enables a wide resection of breast tissue around the tumour