ABSTRACT
Since Halsted conducted the first radical mastectomy in 1882, surgery has played a central role in the treatment of breast cancer. While providing a successful method for the treatment of early stage disease, improved rates of local control were at the cost of mutilating surgery. Psychological morbidity and disturbances in body image and sexual health are now well documented in the literature.1
Evidence confirming the high levels of psychological morbidity has contributed to the exploration of more conservative surgical options. Improvements in surgical techniques now allow women to have a lumpectomy without any adverse impact on survival and reduce some of this morbidity, especially in relation to body image problems.2 However, not all patients are eligible for breast conservation and mastectomy is still required to treat large centrally placed tumours or an extensive in situ component (EIC).
