Tumors of the upper outer quadrant of the breast and with certain characteristics can be excised with lumpectomy, intra-operative radiation therapy, and oncoplastic reconstruction of the lumpectomy defect. In general, tumors that are amenable to lumpectomy and IORT tend to be less than 3 cm, estrogen receptor positive, unifocal, and have negative lymph node status. When a breast undergoes a…
When patients choose to undergo lumpectomy and when the cancer resides outside of the standard Wise mastopexy pattern, the pattern is sometimes adjusted to remove the skin above the tumor. This will help the oncologic surgeon remove the skin above the tumor and help to clear the anterior margin. When the incisions are sutured closed the final suture placed is…
Patients who have breast cancer may be a candidate for lumpectomy and intra-operative radiation therapy. The intra-operative radiation therapy is completed at the time of the lumpectomy and the lumpectomy defect is closed. The aesthetic outcome following this type of oncologic resection and reconstruction can have a great outcome.
When tumors are close to the nipple areola complex the nipple is often removed at the time of the lumpectomy to clear the anterior margin. When mammary prosthesis are in place, often the mammary prosthesis can be removed at the time of the lumpectomy procedure. Patients often choose to have their implants removed at the time of lumpectomy as they…
There are often times when patients may undergo a lumpectomy with an oncoplastic reconstruction of the lumpectomy defect and then in the future undergo a mastectomy. This may happen in patients who have a genetic mutation that puts them at higher risk for breast cancer. In these patients, the nipple areola complex may be preserved as it is re-positioned to…
Breast cancer that is treated with lumpectomy defects will often undergo radiation therapy. The radiation therapy can adversely effect the skin and tissue of the breast. Common changes can be atrophy of the skin and fat necrosis. The latissimus flap can be helpful to fill lumpectomy defects or defects that occur after removal of fat necrosis. The latissimus flap can…
When breast cancers are located close to the skin surface, it is often helpful to remove the skin above the tumor during surgery for wire directed segmental resection. When the tumor is located outside of the standard Wise-mastopexy pattern, the pattern is adjusted to remove the skin over the breast cancer.
Tumors of the breast that are located superior to the areola within a certain distance can be removed with bilateral crescent mastopexy incisions. These incisions are placed superior to the areola and in a crescent pattern. The resulting scar ends in the superior portion of the areola and the nipple is positioned in a higher position relative to the previous…
Often patients with breast cancer who undergo lumpectomy have implants in place that may have been ruptured or are not in anatomical position. Often these patients wish to have the mammary prosthesis removed at the time of lumpectomy while their cancer is being effectively treated. Removal of the mammary prosthesis and improvement of the shape of the breast can improve…
In patients with DCIS or breast cancer, the cancer can be removed using patterns to improve the appearance or shape of the breast. These patterns accomplish several things: 1) It allows large margins to be obtained as well as the overlying skin. 2) It prevents a post-operative lumpectomy defect. 3) It improves the appearance of the breast and “psyche” of…