We are committed to bringing safe and effective oncoplastic breast surgery to routine patient care.
Join the consortium today

The Oncoplastic Breast Consortium (OPBC) consists of oncologic, oncoplastic and plastic breast surgeons, a strong patient advocacy group, and radiation oncologists who are specialized in breast cancer research and treatment.

The consortium focuses on oncoplastic breast conserving surgery, nipple/skin sparing mastectomy with immediate reconstruction and optimal flat closure after conventional mastectomy. Importantly, the OPBC also aims at im­proving quality of life by axillary surgery de-escalation.

Our mission is to continuously improve oncologic breast surgery by bringing international experts together, promoting high-quality education and performing international multicenter studies.

The activities of this independent non-profit organization are coordinated by one single oncoplastic surgeon per country. Every breast surgeon, radiation oncologist and patient advocate across the world who is interested in oncoplastic surgery is welcome to register as a member.

Members are regularly informed by newsletters on specific training opportunities, meetings, events, congresses and courses that are considered recommendable by the OPBC coordinators. In addition, members are invited to attend the OPBC consensus conferences, watch the panel at work and participate in audience voting.

The OPBC currently consists of 846 members from 95 countries.

Upcoming Events

OPBC Research Projects

  • OPBC-07/microNAC: Association of Axillary Lymph Node Dissection With Oncological Outcomes in Patients With Residual Micrometastases After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy: The OPBC-07/microNAC study
    60+ centers in 25 countries from 5 continents have already agreed to participate.
    > Synopsis
  • Hirslanden-01/OPBC-06/SAKK 23-18: Intelligent vacuum assisted biopsy immediately before surgery as an intra- or pre-operative surrogate for patient response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer (VISION I). A multicenter prospective feasibility trial:
    Accrual of 46 of 420 patients in 24 participating sites: 16 in Switzerland, 4 in Austria and 4 in Germany.
    > Synopsis
    > Trial registration
  • OPBC-05 ICARO: Nodal burden and nodal recurrence in patients with isolated tumor cells after neoadjuvant chemotherapy treated with axillary dissection or axillary radiation:
    A total of 583 patients with residual nodal isolated tumor cells were included at 62 sites in 18 countries. Work presented orally on podium at SABCS 2023. Paper accepted for publication in Journal of Clinical Oncology.
    > Synopsis
    > Publication
  • OPBC-04 OMA: Nodal recurrence following axillary downstaging with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and omission of axillary lymph node dissection:
    A total of 1144 limited axillary surgery procedures – 478 targeted axillary dissections and 666 sentinel node procedures – in cN+ converting to ycN0 were included at 25 sites in 11 countries. Work presented orally on podium at SABCS 2022 and published in JAMA Oncology.
    > Synopsis
    > Publication
  • OPBC-03 TAXIS (SAKK 23/16, IBCSG 57-18, ABCSG-53, GBG 101): Tailored axillary surgery with or without axillary lymph node dissection followed by radiotherapy in patients with clinically node-positive breast cancer: A pragmatic, multicenter, randomized, superiority trial
    Accrual of 1229 of 1500 patients in Switzerland, Hungary, Austria, Germany and Lithuania. Further sites are currently being evaluated for TAXIS trial participation in Argentina, Brazil, Croatia, Greece and Italy.
    > Trial Registration
    > Published study protocol
    > Publication on first pre-specified subproject
    > Publication of review on tailored axillary surgery
    > Publication on second pre-specified subproject
    > Publication on third pre-specified subproject
    > Prospective cohort study findings within TAXIS
  • OPBC-02 PREPEC: Pre- versus sub-pectoral implant-based breast reconstruction after skin-sparing mastectomy or nipple-sparing mastectomy: A pragmatic, multicenter, randomized, superiority trial
    Recruitment of 383 patients completed in February 2023. Thanks to all the sites in Switzerland, Germany, Sweden, Hungary, Austria, USA, Italy, Israel, Argentina and Brazil for including patients.
    > Trial Registration
    > Published Protocol
  • OPBC-01 iTOP2: Impact of large volume resections on risk of local recurrence
    Publication on retrospective, multicenter analysis comparing conventional with oncoplastic breast conserving surgery

OPBC Consensus Conferences

OPBC Publications

OPBC Newletters

The OPBC Newsletter is sent to all registered OPBC members, informing about OPBC research projects, upcoming events and new members.

OPBC Coordinators

  • With the substantial advantages of oncoplastic surgery being increasingly recognized, it is time for our community to get organized. The mission of this independent non-profit organization is to bring international experts together, promote high-quality education for the next generation of oncoplastic surgeons and perform international multicenter studies.
    OPBC Founder and Coordinator for Switzerland: Prof. Walter Weber, University Hospital Basel
  • The raison d'être of the OPBC is, at its heart, one of patient centricity as its mission is ultimately to improve surgical outcomes for all breast cancer survivors. The patient advocacy group strives to bring the voice of the patient to enrich the consortium's endeavours. We seek to recruit patients with a diversity of surgical experiences so that we can speak with authority on the full spectrum of procedures in the consortium's scope.
    Global Patient Advocacy Lead: Jane Shaw
  • Pioneering Precision in Breast Cancer Surgery – The Oncoplastic Breast Consortium leads scientific advancements, pushing the limits of treatment, elevating surgical community internationally, prioritising oncoplastic innovation for improved cosmetic results and enhanced quality of life, all while maintaining oncological integrity.
    Coordinator for Malaysia: Prof. See Mee Hoong, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur
  • Oncoplastic breast surgery is to surgeons what tailored oncological therapies are to oncologists. In order to be able to give full consideration to each individual patient's needs, we need to be encouraging and disseminating the oncoplastic approach to the next generation of surgeons. In addition, we need to further confirm and support its safe use by collaborative high-quality data.
    Coordinator for Sweden: Ass. Prof. Jana De Boniface, Karolinska Institutet, Capio St. Göran's Hospital
  • In the era of precision medicine, there is a need to establish the real indications for oncoplastic surgery and how to integrate these techniques into the management of breast cancer as a more evidence based treatment.
    Coordinator for Spain: Prof. Isabel T. Rubio, Clinica Universidad de Navarra, Madrid
  • Current breast cancer treatment is tailored to the individual tumor and to the individual patient. Oncoplastic breast surgery plays a key role in high quality «patient tailored» breast cancer care. This consortium believes that extensive education and training, in combination with scientific research and data sharing will contribute in the real integration of oncoplastic breast surgery in breast cancer care.
    Coordinator for the Netherlands: Dr. Marie-Jeanne Vrancken Peeters, Netherlands Cancer Institute
  • Oncoplastic surgery allows us to combine the principles of cancer surgery with breast reconstruction, allowing for excellent oncologic outcomes with breast conservation, and improved cosmesis for our patients. An international consortium of surgeons dedicated to this approach in breast cancer care will lead the way for evaluating our long-term outcomes through research and provide the network for improving and promoting education in OPS techniques.
    Coordinator for Canada: Dr. Tulin Cil, Cancer Clinical Research Unit, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre
  • Oncoplastic breast surgery is a combination of sound oncological principles and techniques to restore or enhance the appearance of the breast, traditionally used in plastic surgery. The goal is to achieve the best possible oncological, aesthetic and functional outcome considering each individual patient’s circumstances.
    Coordinator for Australia: Prof. Elisabeth Elder, Westmead Breast Cancer Institute, University of Sydney
  • Oncoplastic surgery is an up-to-date and holistic concept of breast cancer surgery. Rearranging breast tissue gives enormous opportunities to body sculpture breast cancer defects without compromising cancer treatment.
    Coordinator for Finland: Dr. Sarianna Joukainen, Kuopio University Hospital
  • Oncoplastic breast surgery is about fighting cancer adequately in the new era of multimodality breast cancer treatment by optimizing quality of life. An international consortium of oncoplastic breast surgeons enables tailored surgery to originate from a high level of evidence.
    Coordinator for Greece: Dr. Ekaterini Christina Tampaki, Laiko General Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
  • Oncoplastic breast surgery is increasing all over the world and improves the health of breast cancer patients. Although the scientific background is improving, oncoplastic surgery is still based on level III evidence. There is an urgent need to gather all experts in this field to further improve our knowledge.
    Coordinator for Austria: Prof. Florian Fitzal, University Hospital Vienna
  • Oncoplastic breast surgery has a long tradition and some internationally well-known pioneers in this field in Germany. The panelists encourage international standardization and training and share their knowledge with the members of this consortium.
    Coordinator for Germany: Prof. Jörg Heil, University Hospital Heidelberg
  • In Brazil, the rate of patients with breast reconstruction in the public health system increased from 15% in 2008 to 29% in 2014. We believe that well-trained breast surgeons involved in the breast reconstruction process have greatly helped to improve the population's access. The possibility of oncoplastic training and comprehensive medical education is crucial to guarantee a better treatment and quality of life for women with breast cancer.
    Coordinator for Brazil: Dr. Régis Resende Paulinelli, Araújo Jorge Hospital
  • Oncoplastic surgery combines wide tumor excision with reduction mammoplasty techniques, thereby allowing breast conserving surgery for larger tumors with free margins. This concept can even be expanded by the use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and is particularly important in Paraguay, where 40% to 50% of breast cancer patients present with stage III disease.
    Coordinator for Paraguay: Prof. Ricardo Pedro Abed, Universidad Nacional de Asunción, Hospital de Clínicas. San Lorenzo-Py.
  • We have significantly improved the survival of breast cancer patients over the past decade; we need to also focus on improving their quality of life. Oncoplastic surgery is a tool that allows us to restore, maintain or enhance the final aesthetic result of the breast, one of the key factors that impact the quality of life of a patient. As a consortium, we have to critically evaluate, improve, standardize and disseminate that tool.
    Coordinator for the USA: Prof. Mahmoud El-Tamer, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
  • The combination of cancer surgery and plastic surgery techniques lead to a significant improvement in the aesthetic outcomes of breast cancer surgery, avoiding unnecessary surgical breast deformities without compromising locoregional control. The oncoplastic approach should become the standard of care in the era of tailored breast cancer management.
    Coordinator for the UK: Dr. Dr. Tibor Kovacs, Guy's Hospital Breast Unit, London
  • China fully supports the mission of the OPBC. Oncoplastic surgery plays an increasingly important role in clinical practice in China.
    Coordinator for China: Prof. Chen Xiaosong, Shanghai Ruijin Hospital, China, Shanghai
  • Oncoplastic breast surgery incorporates a wide range of surgical techniques, making personalized breast cancer surgery possible.
    Coordinator for Hungary: Dr. Zoltan Matrai, National Institute of Oncology, Hungary, Budapest
  • Oncoplastic breast surgery is a welcome development in the approach to surgery for women with operable breast cancer. The OPBC is an important initiative for the dissemination, standardization and auditing of oncoplastic techniques. This will undoubtedly contribute to further improvement in the quality of treatment our patients receive.
    Coordinator for Israel: Dr. Moshe Carmon, Shaare Zedek Medical Center Jerusalem
  • Respect to Oncology, Optimism in Reconstruction
    Coordinator for Thailand: Dr. Visnu Lohsiriwat, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University
  • Oncoplastic Breast Surgery is about providing excellent cosmetic results without compromising oncological outcomes for all breast cancer patients. This Consortium will endeavour to enhance international collaboration to improve standards of care and the evidence base for oncoplastic breast surgical procedures
    Coordinator for Ireland: Mr. Mitchel Barry, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital
  • Oncoplastic breast surgery principles and immediate breast reconstruction – more and more – should be offered as standard of care to all breast cancer patients. Together, we can make it possible!
    Coordinator for Portugal: Dr. Pedro Gouveia, Champalimaud Clinical Center
  • Oncoplastic breast surgery is the perfect bridge to satisfy the needs of our patients: best oncological outcome and quality of life
    Coordinator for Italy: Dr. Oreste D. Gentilini, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele
  • As breast cancer is being treated by multidisciplinary teams with increasingly better survival results, quality-of-life is becoming an important concern for patients. Aesthetic results of oncoplastic breast surgery provide self-confidence and maintain self-esteem of the patients. Training for oncoplastic breast surgery should aim not only to provide high-level skills but also to coach the trainee for professional attitude.
    Coordinator for Turkey: Prof. Bahadir M. Gulluoglu, Marmara University School of Medicine.
  • Oncoplastic breast surgery is nothing less than trying to heal without harming and also repair the consequences that in some situations cannot be avoided. It is not only a specialty, but a true work philosophy towards taking care about our patient's quality of life.
    Coordinator for Argentina: Dr. Eduardo González, Universidad de Buenos Aires.
  • Oncoplastic breast surgery is the tool to avoid breast deformities and improve aesthetic results after surgical treatment. As a consortium, our aim is to learn, share and spread these tools to be applied in breast cancer management.
    Coordinator for Chile: Prof. Jaime Letzkus Berríos, Hospital Clínico San Borja Arriarán, Universidad de Chile

OPBC Consortium Members

Become a Member

Join the Oncoplastic Breast Consortium today and become a member of the group advancing oncoplastic breast surgery around the world.

Your data will only be used to display you as member of the OPBC on this website and to send you regular updates about the activity of the consortium. It will not be shared with any third parties and email addresses will not be published.

Past Events of the Last Two Years