Standards in oncoplastic breast-conserving surgery

Abstract

Oncoplastic breast-conserving surgery is becoming more widely accepted as a standard of care in management of breast cancer, with both oncologic and aesthetic benefits for patients. Significant geographic and specialty-specific variability exists regarding the availability, understanding, and application of oncoplastic reconstructive techniques. Providing high-quality care for patients with breast cancer requires streamlined multi-disciplinary communication; care of patients undergoing oncoplastic breast-conserving surgery is no exception, as surgeons from different specialties are often called upon to work together in order to optimize oncologic efficacy and aesthetic results. Standardization of oncoplastic terminology and classification systems as well as a shared understanding of available outcomes data will help patients undergoing these procedures achieve the best possible results regardless of their geographic location or health care system. In this article, we review oncoplastic standards and highlight variations with regard to terminology, classification systems, and training in oncoplastic techniques. Regional differences regarding the preference for and involvement of plastic surgery providers are highlighted. Safety, efficacy, and patient satisfaction outcomes are presented with the goal of establishing a commonly understood baseline to aid in pre-operative patient counseling. With increased acceptance and generalizability of oncoplastic standards, high-quality oncoplastic reconstructive procedures will be available to a more diverse patient population.