• Oncoplastic Surgery

Oncoplastic surgery combines the latest plastic surgery techniques with breast surgical oncology performed by a specially trained breast surgeon. Many times with breast cancer surgery, the removal of the abnormal tissue may leave the breast distorted or asymmetric with the other breast. An Oncoplastic Breast Surgeon will sculpt the remaining tissue and restore a natural appearance to the breast shape. This may include a breast reduction or mastopexy (breast lift). The opposing breast​ may also be modified to create symmetry during oncoplastic surgery.

This is a good option for patients who are candidates for breast conservation therapy or lumpectomy. Oncoplastic techniques are also used with mastectomy as in nipple sparing mastectomy with reconstruction. Our board-certified oncoplastic breast surgeon in Anchorage can advise you in your particular case.

How is oncoplastic surgery performed?

At the time of your lumpectomy, the breast surgeon will perform a bilateral breast reduction or lift, removing breast tissue from the
cancerous breast as well as modifying the normal breast. These procedures generally involve an incision around the nipple and areola,
a vertical incision from the nipple to the lower fold of the breast, and a horizontal incision in the fold of the breast.

Sometimes breast surgeons have difficulty preserving blood supply to the nipple during surgery. In these cases, a “free nipple graft” is the only way the nipple may be preserved during breast reconstruction surgery. This involves removing the nipple and replacing it after the breast reduction or lift is complete.

The disadvantage of this breast reconstruction procedure is the resulting nipple numbness and inability to lactate. This technique is used only as a last resort if your breast surgeon feels that the nipple may not be saved otherwise. You should talk to your breast reconstruction surgeon in Anchorage about this prior to the procedure.

What are the benefits of having oncoplastic surgery at the time of
lumpectomy?

There are many upsides to having bilateral breast reduction or lift in Anchorage at the same time you’re undergoing a lumpectomy:

  • Only involves one surgery.
  • Surgery is completed prior to radiation, so you avoid the risks of wound-healing problems that can occur with post-radiation surgery.
  • Symmetric breasts after lumpectomy.
  • Relief of symptoms of large breasts, if this was a problem before surgery.

These breast reconstruction surgeries generally do not involve drains. They may be outpatient or possibly require one night in an Anchorage hospital. Recovery time for oncoplastic surgery is six weeks, but most people usually feel better and are able to return to work in three to four weeks.