title: The cosmetic outcome in early breast cancer treated with breast conservation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To measure the cosmetic outcome of breast-conserving surgery and identify the factors which influence cosmesis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 254 patients with primary breast cancer treated by wide local excision, with or without radiotherapy, were subjectively assessed for cosmesis by a six-member panel using photographic evaluation and objectively by an independent observer using specific measurement.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Good to excellent cosmetic results were achieved in 184 (72%) patients on panel subjective assessment and 201 (79%) patients on objective assessment. Good correlation (P<0.001) and agreement were found between the panel's subjective photographic assessment and the objective assessment. The main factors found to affect cosmesis negatively were: medially located tumours; weight of specimen; re-excision procedures; radiotherapy; small breasts and longer scars.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These cosmetic results, combined with a low local recurrence rate following wide local excision, validate the operative method used.
authors.affiliation: Breast Unit, Nottingham City Hospital, Nottingham, UK.
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Al-Ghazal
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Blamey
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Morgan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001504:Beauty; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015412:Mastectomy, Segmental; D008875:Middle Aged; D015588:Observer Variation; D010781:Photography; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D016896:Treatment Outcome