ABSTRACT
Patients are surviving longer due to advances in breast cancer treatment and expectations have increased accordingly. Breast surgery requires distinct technical skills and attributes and has emerged as a subspeciality under the aegis of general surgery. Subspecialization has been driven by a rising incidence of breast cancer, the development of oncoplastic breast surgery techniques, and enhanced patient expectations in terms of treatment and outcomes. Increasing utilization of neoadjuvant therapy to downstage locally advanced disease has permitted more successful rates of breast-conservation therapy. Oncoplastic breast surgery aims to retain or enhance the natural appearance of the breast following excision of a cancer. The oncologic safety of retaining the breast skin envelope and any complications attributable to implantable devices are key issues to consider. Breast surgery is a rapidly evolving speciality with frequent exposure to novel devices and techniques.
