ABSTRACT
The surgical management of breast cancer has undergone continuous and profound changes over the last 40 years. The evolution from aggressive and mutilating treatment to conservative approach has been long, but constant, despite the controversies that appeared every time a new procedure came to light. Today, the aesthetic satisfaction of breast cancer patients coupled with the oncological safety is the goal of the modern breast surgeon. Breast-conserving surgery with adjuvant radiotherapy is considered the gold standard approach for patients with early stage breast cancer and the recent introduction of "oncoplastic techniques" has furtherly increased the use of breast-conserving procedures. Mastectomy remains a valid surgical alternative in selected cases and is usually associated with immediate reconstructive procedures. New surgical procedures called "conservative mastectomies" are emerging as techniques that combine oncological safety and cosmesis by entirely removing the breast parenchyma sparing the breast skin and nipple-areola complex. Staging of the axilla has also gradually evolved toward less aggressive approaches with the adoption of sentinel node biopsy and new therapeutic strategies are emerging in patients with a pathological positivity in sentinel lymph node biopsy. The present work will highlight the new surgical treatment options increasingly efficacy and respectful of breast cancer patients.
Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms/radiotherapy , Breast Neoplasms/surgery , Mammaplasty , Mastectomy/methods , Patient Selection , Radiotherapy, Adjuvant , Breast Neoplasms/diagnosis , Early Detection of Cancer , Female , Humans , Mammaplasty/methods , Mastectomy, Modified Radical/methods , Mastectomy, Segmental/methods , Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
Oncoplastic surgery of the breast (OPS) has generated great excitement over the past years and has become an integrated component of the surgical treatment of breast cancer. Oncoplastic surgical procedures associate the best surgical oncologic principles to achieve wide tumor-free margins with the best principles of plastic surgery to optimize cosmetic outcomes. Thanks to oncoplastic techniques, the role of breast conserving surgery (BCS) has been extended to include a group of patients who would otherwise require mastectomy to achieve adequate tumor clearance. As OPS continues to gain acceptance and diffusion, an optimal and systematic approach to these techniques is becoming increasingly necessary. This article has the aim to review the essential principles and techniques associated with oncoplastic surgery, based on the data acquired through an extensive search of the PUBMED and MEDLINE database for articles published using the key words "breast cancer oncoplastic surgery". This review analyzes possible the advantages", classifications, indications, and the criteria for a proper selection of oncoplastic techniques to facilitate one's ability to master these procedures and make OPS a safe and an effective procedure.
Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms/surgery , Mammaplasty , Mastectomy, Segmental , Female , HumansABSTRACT
Because methylene blue exhibits germicidal, oxidation, and reduction properties, the authors asked whether this agent causes adverse effects on gametes, embryos, and/or secretions of the reproductive tract. Time- and dose-dependent inhibition of human sperm motility by methylene blue was observed, as was growth inhibition of 2-cell mouse embryos. Furthermore, the presence of methylene blue in uterine, fallopian tube, and peritoneal fluids altered protein mobility in polyacrylamide gels, and yielded apparent values of follicle-stimulating hormone and estradiol up to 260% of actual values (P less than 0.05). These data suggest that the presence of methylene blue in reproductive tract fluids may provide a false impression of their biochemical and biophysical compositions, and that the use of methylene blue as a chromopertubation agent be conducted with appropriate awareness.
