European journal of surgical oncology : the journal of the European Society of Surgical Oncology and the British Association of Surgical Oncology
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Breast-conserving surgery (BCS) is considered the standard treatment for early-stage breast cancer. However, fair to poor cosmetic outcomes following conventional BCS have been observed in as many as one-third of cases. The aim of this study was to determine the critical tumor-to-breast volume ratio for each quadrant of the breast beyond which conventional BCS would no longer offer acceptable cosmetic and functional results or satisfactory quality of life for the patient. ⋯ Aided by the calculated cut-off values for each breast quadrant, breast surgeons might render more objective decisions regarding performing conventional BCS, using oncoplastic techniques or choosing mastectomy with immediate reconstruction.