Segmentectomy and quadrantectomy as part of breast conserving

updated 5-20

Removing larger malignant tumors can be performed in different ways; either the breast is removed completely (mastectomy) or only the affected part is widely excised (breast-conserving surgery).

Whether or not breast-conserving surgery is possible depends on several factors. Recent studies demonstrate however that even with a sufficient tumor-free margin, breast-conserving surgery combined with radiotherapy, may result in a slight increased risk for local recurrence compared to a mastectomy. Long-term survival was similar in both groups.
The skin incision is performed over the tumor and the tumor is removed with a cuff of surrounding healthy breast tissue. Certainly with larger tumors, there is always a small chance that the tumor has not been completely removed. The excised part is therefore analyzed by a histopathologist. This doctor fixes the tissue, cuts it into thin slices, stains it and studies the specimens under a microscope to check if the tissue edges are tumor free. This process usually takes at least one week.


A second procedure may be needed if the tumor is not completely removed. Once the tumor has been completely excised, the remaining breast needs to be irradiated. This is done to eradicate any undiscoverable microscopic satellite lesions that could possibly be growing in the remaining breast gland tissue. The combination of surgery and radiotherapy can result into variable degrees of deformation of the remaining breast according to the sensitivity of each person to irradiation.

 

Figure 1: Breast conservative surgery: examples of breast deformation after segmentectomy and variable reactions to post-operative radiation therapy.


If the lesion is large or if the breast is small then the amount of tissue that needs to be removed may be relatively large in comparison to the volume of the breast. In this case we will use the terms segmentectomy (removing a segment of the breast, fig. 1) or quadrantectomy (removing one quarter of the breast, fig. 2) . In such instances, corrective surgery should be considered in a later phase as the defect can leave some important irregularities in the shape of the breast, specially when combined with radiotherapy (which almost always will be the case).

 

Figure 2: Breast conservative surgery: examples of breast deformation after quadrantectomy and variable reactions to post-operative radiation therapy.

 

Reconstructive options should be offered and discussed before performing ablative surgery, preferably with a plastic surgeon specialized in reconstructive breast surgery. The different methods of breast reconstruction are discussed in other areas of this website. Depending on the relative proportion of breast that has been removed, in general, different reconstructive options are proposed.

The table with the algorithm below summarizes the general approach of defects of the breast. Be aware that other or different decisions may be taken for every individual, depending on local tissue conditions. Options need to be discussed with your reconstructive surgeon.

 

Relative amount of breast gland removal Reconstructive technique
   
< 1/8 of the total breast volume Re-arrangement of the remaining gland
  Lipofilling
   
> 1/8 and < 3/8 of the total breast volume Loco-regional pedicled skin flaps
  Lipofilling
   
> 3/8 of the total breast volume Removal of the remaining gland
 

Full breast reconstruction with free flaps or implants


References
  • Different annual recurrence pattern between lumpectomy and mastectomy: implication for breast cancer surveillance after breast-conserving surgery.

Yu KD, Li S, Shao ZM. Oncologist. 2011;16(8):1101-10. Epub 2011 Jun 16.

  • Trends in the surgical treatment of breast cancer.

Morrow M. Breast J. 2010 Sep-Oct;16 Suppl 1:S17-9.

  • Modified Benelli approach for superior segmentectomy: a feasible oncoplastic approach.

Lanitis S, Hadjiminas DJ, Sgourakis G, Al Mufti R, Karaliotas C. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2010 Oct;126(4):195e-197e.

Veronesi U, Volterrani F, Luini A, Saccozzi R, Del Vecchio M, Zucali R et al. Eur J Cancer 2009; 26:671–673.

  • Oncoplastic approaches to partial mastectomy: an overview of volume-displacement techniques.

Anderson BO, Masetti R, Silverstein MJ. Lancet Oncol. 2005 Mar;6(3):145-57.

  • Lumpectomy plus tamoxifen with or without irradiation in women 70 years of age or older with early breast cancer.

Hughes KS, Schnaper LA, Berry D, Cirrincione C, McCormick B, Shank B et al. N Engl J Med 2004; 351:971–977.

  • Better cosmetic results and comparable quality of life after skin-sparing mastectomy and immediate autologous breast reconstruction compared to breast conservative treatment.

Cocquyt VF, Blondeel PN, Depypere HT, Van De Sijpe KA, Daems KK, Monstrey SJ, Van Belle SJ. Br J Plast Surg. 2003 Jul;56(5):462-70.

  • Breast tumor recurrence following lumpectomy with and without breast irradiation: an overview of recent NSABP findings.

Fisher B, Wickerham DL, Deutsch M, Anderson S, Redmond C, Fisher ER. Semin Surg Oncol. 1992 May-Jun;8(3):153-60.
Veronesi U, Salvadori B, Luini A, et al.

  • Conservative treatment of early breast cancer: Long-term results of 1232 cases treated with Quadrantectomy, Axillary dissection, and radiotherapy. Ann Surg. 1990;211:250-259.