Cosmesis following complete local excision of breast cancer

Background: With the establishment of the safety of breast conservation in early breast cancer, cosmesis has become an increasingly important end-point of treatment. The aim of the present study was to establish a model to assess breast cosmesis after complete local excision and to assess cosmesis achieved in patients who had surgery using the seroma technique. Methods: A total of 42 patients were retrospectively reviewed and assessed by independent clinical assessment by a surgeon, structured questionnaire and clinical photography. Results: A total of 86% of patients were rated by surgeon and patient as having a good or excellent cosmetic outcome. There was a high degree of concordance between independent clinical assessment and clinical photographic analysis. Conclusions: A model has been established for the assessment of breast cosmesis; the technique of seroma formation without reconstruction of the defect results in good or excellent cosmesis in the majority of patients.