Subcutaneous Quadrantectomy Is a Safe Procedure in Management of Early-Stage Breast Cancer

BACKGROUND: A less-invasive surgery is often required today for many tumors, when oncologic radicality is strictly ensured, both to minimize hospital stay and health costs and to guarantee aesthetical results. Breast surgery for cancer has been radically changed in the last years since conservative interventions are widely performed everywhere. METHODS: The authors present 75 cases of early breast cancer, randomly treated with standard quadrantectomy and subcutaneous quadrantectomy; the totally subcutaneous surgical technique implies only a short periareolar skin incision and a complete quadrant resection with skin and subcutaneous layer preservation. Continuous data were analyzed by unpaired Student's t-test. The Chi-square test was used to cumulate categorical variables. The Kaplan–Meyer method and log-rank test were used to compare the overall survival and disease-free survival. RESULTS: No difference was found among the two groups in terms of the type of tumor, overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), early complications, radicality, and mortality. The only significant differences were both found in the length of hospital stay and in postoperative breast deformity that required further intervention in some cases. CONCLUSION: In the era of mini-invasive surgery and quality assurance, the authors conclude that subcutaneous quadrantectomy is a safe procedure that allows less health cost and a better aesthetical result.