[Application of endoscopic surgery for breast cancer treatment]

Endoscopic breast surgery has the advantage that it can be performed from a small, inconspicuous incision remote from the lesion. The cosmetic outcome is an important factor in the selection of the surgical technique as in addition to the oncologic effect on breast cancer. From this point of view, endoscopic partial mastectomy should be performed in patients with small tumors, especially those located in the upper quadrants. The approach should be selected for each case considering the size and location of the tumor. For patients with multiple tumors or with tumors accompanied by extended intraductal components, endoscopic total glandectomy or subcutaneous mastectomy with breast reconstruction is a good choice. Patients with a tumor located near the skin or invading the skin are not candidates for endoscopic surgery. Endoscopic axillary dissection is still controversial in its advantages compared with conventional surgery. To avoid surgical complications and an increase in the local failure rate of breast cancer, selection of patients and the surgical technique must be considered carefully.