Surgery insight: Oncoplastic breast-conserving reconstruction--indications, benefits, choices and outcomes

Until recently, the surgical management of breast cancer has centered around two main options--either tumor resection by carrying out breast-conserving surgery or mastectomy with or without reconstruction. Lately, techniques that combine the skills of resection with those of reconstruction in one procedure are leading to the emergence of a third approach--oncoplastic breast-conserving reconstruction. This approach involves reconstruction of resection defects either by volume replacement or by volume displacement. Both techniques are adaptations of conventional methods of breast reconstruction or breast reduction. Emerging data on the oncological and cosmetic outcomes of oncoplastic breast-conserving reconstruction are confirming the clinical utility of this new approach to the surgical management of patients with breast cancer.