Oncoplastic Breast Surgery in Singapore –
Safe Aesthetic Breast Care
Oncoplastic breast surgery integrates cancer removal with plastic surgical techniques, allowing women to undergo effective treatment while preserving natural breast shape, symmetry, and confidence. Whether combined with breast conserving surgery, lumpectomy, breast lump surgery, or part of a wider reconstructive plan, this approach ensures both oncological safety and aesthetic restoration.
A critical mainstay of curative breast cancer treatment includes oncological breast surgery. A whole spectrum of breast surgery options are available to breast cancer patients, based on their individual cancer signature and unique requirements.
What Is Oncoplastic Breast Surgery?
Oncoplastic breast surgery combines cancer resection with tissue mobilisation and/or reconstructive techniques to minimise breast deformity and maintain a natural appearance. It is commonly performed alongside breast conserving surgery (BCS) — also known as a lumpectomy or wide local excision — to remove the tumour with clear margins while reshaping the remaining tissue.
By integrating reconstruction at the same surgical setting, oncoplastic breast surgery offers women in Singapore the opportunity to treat cancer effectively without compromising confidence or comfort.
Breast Conserving Surgery (BCS)
Breast conserving surgery (BCS), also known as ‘wide local excision’ or ‘lumpectomy’, is a partial breast removal that aims to resect all breast cancer with a rim of surrounding normal breast tissue, preserving most normal/benign tissue in the breast. Breast-conserving surgery is suitable for patients who have a reasonable tumour to breast ratio, such that with resection and reconstruction/restoration (when required), minimal cosmetic deformity will result.
Oncoplastic Breast Conserving Surgery (oBCS)
All breast surgery should be performed in line with oncoplastic principles. However, the original focus of these techniques was specifically suited for cancer patients who:
- Require large volume resections as part of breast conserving surgery (lumpectomy; wide local excision);
- May face significant distortion, defect, and asymmetry following a standard breast conserving surgery;
- Desire preservation of their breast shape, size, symmetry and texture.
Who Can Benefit from Oncoplastic Breast Surgery?
Women undergoing lumpectomy, wide local excision or breast conserving surgery are good candidates for oncoplastic techniques, especially when simple resection could otherwise lead to breast distortion and deformity.
It is highly beneficial for:
- Patients with small to moderate-sized tumours
- Patients who require larger excisions relative to breast volume
- Women concerned about cosmetic outcomes post-treatment
- Patients seeking concurrent breast reshaping or breast reduction in Singapore for symmetry
Our Oncoplastic Techniques
At Breast Surgery Care Partners, we offer a comprehensive suite of oncoplastic and reconstructive solutions, carefully tailored to address the medical, aesthetic and personal needs of our patients. These techniques support disease removal while maintaining or restoring natural breast contour.
Mastopexy
Therapeutic mastopexy combines cancer resection with a breast-lift and/or skin reducing technique, mobilisation and repositioning of the breast tissue for reshaping and defect closure. Your surgeon plans incisions depends on the position of the cancer, the size and shape of the breast. Mastopexy scars are typically hidden in the borders of the areolas and natural contours of the breasts. Common scars include the crescent, circumareolar (Benelli; round block; doughnut), and lollipop breast lifts. A breast reduction or uplift may also be performed on the opposite breast to improve final symmetry. This may be done at the time of cancer surgery, or at a later date.
Mammoplasty
Ideal for patients with larger breasts, a therapeutic mammoplasty combines cancer resection with a skin and breast reducing procedure and breast tissue remodeling at the time of cancer removal. This technique has the added benefit of lifting drooping breasts and relieving discomfort caused by weight and large volume. Common incisions include vertical (lollipop) or anchor (wise pattern). A breast reduction or uplift may be performed on the opposite breast to improve final symmetry. This may be done at the time of cancer surgery, or at a later date.
Intercostal Artery
Perforator Flaps
When a significant portion of breast tissue needs to be removed, partial breast reconstruction can restore volume.
- LICAP (Lateral Intercostal Artery Perforator) or LTAP (Lateral Thoracic Artery Perforator) flaps uses excess skin and fat from the lateral chest wall
- AICAP (Anterior Intercostal Artery Perforator) flap uses excess skin and far from the upper abdomen beneath the breast to fill breast defects following extended breast-conserving surgery
Thoracodorsal Artery Perforator
(TDAP) Flap
When a significant portion of breast tissue needs to be removed, partial breast reconstruction can restore volume. The TDAP (Thoracodorsal Artery Perforator) Flap utilises skin and fat from the back to fill defects in the breast after cancer removal. It is a muscle-preserving technique that helps to restore natural contour.
Omental Flap
Reconstruction
Injectable Acellular Dermal Matrix (ADM) Reconstruction
Explore related techniques:
Discover how minimally invasive approaches complement oncoplastic principles through our surgical options in Minimally Invasive Breast Surgery.
Why Choose Oncoplastic Breast Surgery?
Unlike traditional breast cancer surgery, which may result in visible deformities, oncoplastic techniques offer several advantages.
Enhanced Cosmetic Outcomes
Restore a natural breast shape post-surgery
Preservation of Breast Tissue
Avoid unnecessary mastectomy in suitable cases
Improved Psychological Well-being
Reduce post-surgical distress and enhance confidence
Tailored Approach
Get customised surgery based on cancer biology, breast morphology, and patient preferences
Patient Journey & Recovery
Our approach ensures a seamless and supportive experience from diagnosis to recovery.
Consultation
Detailed assessment with personalised treatment planning from an experienced senior consultant breast surgeon
Specialised Imaging
Precision evaluation based on disease and background breast cancer risk
Diagnosis
Minimally invasive breast biopsy and clinical correlation with your breast specialist
Treatment Planning
Selection of oncoplastic or minimally invasive approaches and other techniques.
Surgery
Performed with careful balance of oncological finesse and respect for cosmetic outcomes to ensure safety and aesthetic preservation
Recovery & Follow-Up
Continued support, scar care, and long-term monitoring
Learn more about risk evaluation:
For a complete assessment of your breast health, visit our page on Breast Cancer Risk Evaluation & Screening.
Meet our Breast Surgeon
Dr Sabrina Ngaserin
Senior Consultant
Oncoplastic and Minimally Invasive Breast Surgeon
- Sub-specialising in breast surgical oncology and breast surgery; and one of the few surgeons in Singapore formally trained in oncoplastic breast surgery, minimally invasive and endoscopic breast surgery.
- Expertise in advanced breast cancer surgical techniques which prioritise patients’ oncological needs with aesthetic outcomes.
- Former Head of Breast Surgery, Chief of Breast Service, and Senior Consultant at Sengkang General Hospital and SingHealth Duke-NUS Breast Centre.
Dr Sabrina Ngaserin is a Ministry of Health and Singapore Medical Council-accredited specialist, trained in oncoplastic breast surgery at the National University Hospital and Singapore General Hospital, and fellowship trained in Advanced Oncoplastic Breast Surgery at the Fiona Stanley and Fremantle Hospital Group in Australia.
Frequently Asked Questions
Oncoplastic breast surgery combines cancer removal with form reconstruction, whereas a standard lumpectomy or wide local excision focuses mainly on removing the tumour without a need for secondary tissue remodelling. Oncoplastic techniques help prevent deformities and improve cosmetic outcomes.
Patients with smaller tumours relative to breast size, or those wishing to preserve their breast, are ideal candidates for breast conserving surgery and oncoplastic reshaping or reconstruction.
Mastopexy, Mammoplasty, Partial breast reconstruction are all oncoplastic strategies used to restore the natural shape of the breast.
Yes. Many women suffering macromastia (extremely large breasts) undergo breast reduction in Singapore as part of therapeutic mammoplasty, especially when cancer removal overlaps with large breast volume reduction.
Most oncoplastic breast surgeries are day surgery procedures. Women return to regular daily activities within days, and fully recover within 1 to 2 weeks. Full tissue healing occurs over several months depending on tissue healing and extensiveness of resection, mobilisation, reduction or use of flap reconstruction. Adjuvant treatment (such as radiotherapy) may be required.
Oncoplastic methods minimise obvious scarring by placing incisions along natural lines or combining them with cosmetic breast lift/reduction patterns.
When cancer is detected early, most patients are eligible. Tumour size, location, proportions, cancer biology and stage, and overall breast anatomy will guide suitability. Your breast surgeon will determine the best approach.
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