Endoscopy-assisted breast-conserving surgery for breast cancer patients

Abstract

Breast-conserving surgery (BCS) combined with postoperative radiotherapy is a standard therapy for early-stage breast cancer patients. In addition, recent developments in oncoplastic surgery have improved cosmetic outcomes and patient satisfaction. Therefore, a breast surgeon's current role in BCS is not only to perform a curative resection of cancerous lesions with adequate surgical margins, but also to preserve the shape and appearance of the treated breast. Endoscopy-assisted breast-conserving surgery (EBCS), which has the advantage of a less noticeable scar, was developed more than ten years ago. Recently, some clinical studies have reported the feasibility, oncological outcomes, aesthetic outcomes, and patient satisfaction of EBCS. Herein, we will review the EBCS clinical studies that have been conducted so far and discuss current issues regarding this operative method.

Keywords: Endoscopy assisted; breast cancer; breast surgery; breast-conserving surgery (BCS); endoscope.

Figure 1

Operative procedure of endoscopic-assisted breast-conserving surgery. (A) Dissection of the posterior surface of the breast; (B) skin flap development; (C) resection of the mammary gland under light guidance from a periareolar incision; (D) repair of the defect by mobilization of the conserved breast tissue from a periareolar incision.

Figure 2

A 54-year-old woman with left breast cancer in the upper inner area. The operation method was endoscopy-assisted lumpectomy plus sentinel lymph node biopsy. (A) Penetrating branch of internal thoracic vessels were marked by ultrasonography (US); (B) postoperative aesthetic appearance (6 months after postoperative radiotherapy).