[Oncoplastic technics with nipple-areolar complex resection for the treatment of central breast cancers]

Central breast cancer has long been an indication for mastectomy. Plastic surgical techniques adapted to cancer (oncoplastic surgery) have made it possible to offer breast cancer patients conservative surgery with resection of the nipple-areolar complex (NAC). We evaluated carcinologic results and cosmetic outcomes as a function of the oncoplastic technique used. We performed a retrospective study in 47 patients with central breast cancers undergoing breast-conserving with NAC resection. Carcinologic results were assessed by calculating local and metastatic recurrences rates. Cosmetic results were evaluated on four criteria assessed by the patient then by two surgeons. The mean age of the patients was 59.8 (44-84) years. The mean tumour diameter was 17.4 (6-39)mm. Histological involvement of the nipple is present in 53% of the cases. No local recurrence, neither death was observed at 4.5 years median follow-up. One patient had liver metastatic recurrence at 83 months. Cosmetic results were assessed in 33 patients. Round-block provided better aesthetic results: the shape of the breast was considered very good or satisfactory for 90% of the surgeons with the round-block technique and for 46% with transverse incision (P=0.02). Breast-conserving surgery is feasible in selected patients with T1 or T2 central breast cancers, with no impact on the risk of local recurrence. NAC resection is essential especially when the patients have clinical signs of nipple involvement. It provides satisfactory cosmetic results, especially with the round-block technique, possibly associated with nipple reconstruction using the "cat-design" technique developed by our team.