[Methods and importance of volume measurement in reconstructive and aesthetic breast surgery].

Volume measurement of the breast allows for better surgical planning and implant selection in breast reconstructive and symmetrization procedures. The safety and accuracy of tumor removal, in accordance with oncoplastic principles, may be improved by knowing the true breast- and breast tumor volume. The authors discuss the methods of volume measurement of the breast and describe the method based on magnetic resonance imaging digital volume measurement in details.

[Minimally invasive breast surgery].

Due to the development in medical science and industrial technology, minimally invasive procedures have appeared in the surgery of benign and malignant breast diseases. In general , such interventions result in significantly reduced breast and chest wall scars, shorter hospitalization and less pain, but they require specific, expensive devices, longer surgical time compared to open surgery. Furthermore, indications or oncological safety have not been established yet.

[Modern breast reconstruction with endoscopically assisted latissimus dorsi flap harvesting].

Skin- and nipple-sparing mastectomies made immediate breast reconstruction possible on a systemic level within breast cancer surgery. Mass reconstruction needs brought by the most common malignancy in women can only be met by the use of implant-based techniques, providing excellent cosmetic results and high patient satisfaction. For these postmastectomy reconstructions the replacement of the skin is no longer a challenge, but the well vascularized, good quality soft tissue coverage of the implant.

[Modern breast surgery].

Today, as a result of the complex and coordinated medical treatment of breast malignancies the long-term survival rate reaches 80%. Modern breast surgery plays a prominent role in the multidisciplinary treatment of breast tumors. Breast surgery in the 21st century simultaneously performs medical and aesthetic procedures on the same organ.

[The place of skin-sparing mastectomy in oncoplastic breast surgery].

Despite its ever increasing popularity, there is no evidence-based confirmation so far on the results of skin-sparing mastectomy, introduced 20 years ago. However, the results of countless published retrospective, long-term trials seem to underpin the ability of the precisely implemeted procedure in early stage invasive and in situ breast cancers to yield the oncological results of modified radical mastectomy. As a result of the procedure involving special surgical techniques, the skin not affected by cancer can be preserved, which facilitates immediate reconstruction and improves cosmetic outcome.

[Special considerations in breast cancer treatment of an augmented breast].

Breast augmentation surgery involving the use of implants has been one of the most popular plastic surgical procedures for decades. As the multi-million female population who received breast implants ages, the risk of cancer is increasing rapidly, therefore the incidence of malignant disease in association with breast implants will increase as well. Although there is no relationship between tumor development and implants, these cases require special considerations in diagnostics, therapy and follow-up methods.

[Role of nipple sparing mastectomy in modern breast surgery].

Recently an increasing number of reports of clinical experience have been published on nipple-sparing mastectomy. By the preservation of uninvolved skin and the nipple areola complex, this surgical technique greatly facilitates immediate reconstruction and optimal aesthetic outcome. However, the procedure raises serious oncologic concerns regarding the risk of an occult or a newly formed primary tumor due to parenchyma left behind in the nipple and the retroareola.

[Challenges in oncologic plastic surgery of the breast].

Breast screening programs along with advances in diagnostic methods and oncologic treatment have resulted in full recovery for a decisive number of patients diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer. The results of the ultra-radical-, followed by the breast conserving era pose new opportunities and challenges for the oncologic breast surgeon. The focus of oncoplastic surgery is not only on the tumor, but also on the female patient, allowing for individualized immediate breast reconstruction with acceptable esthetic result following radical tumor exstirpation.

[Breast conserving oncoplastic surgery in the treatment of centrally located malignant breast tumors].

Central breast neoplasms account for 5 to 20% of breast cancer cases. For decades, they have been traditionally treated with mastectomy. The high incidence of involvement associated with these tumors necessitates nipple and areola resection.