The field of oncoplastic surgery
was coined by an article in the Wall Street Journal in 2008. An offshoot of breast reconstruction surgery, oncoplastic surgery is designed to eliminate cancerous growths and affected tissue within the breast while simultaneously refining the appearance of the remaining tissue so as to present the least amount of disruption physically, mentally, and emotionally following breast cancer.
Oncoplastic surgery is a unique blend of reconstructive surgery and cosmetic breast surgery that is designed to restore a more esthetically pleasing appearance to the breast during cancer removal surgery. The cosmetic portion of oncoplastic surgery is often performed immediately following the removal of the cancer and affected breast tissue (lumpectomy or mastectomy). Depending upon the patient’s breast cancer progression, a small breast lift (mastopexy) may be used to restore breast symmetry.
Traditionally, breast reconstruction involves multiple surgeries (i.e.- placement of tissue expanders at the time of cancer removal which is later replaced with a saline or silicone breast implant for additional size correction). Oncoplastic procedures strive to minimize the amount of breast revision surgery necessary to reestablish a normalized appearance.
To learn more about the ever evolving breast reconstruction technology please visit Atlanta Plastic Surgery’s Breast Surgery Symposium page and stay tuned to our regularly updated plastic surgery blog.
