Endoscopic mastectomy and endoscopic wide local excision for breast cancer

Current evidence on the safety and efficacy of endoscopic mastectomy and endoscopic wide local excision for breast cancer is inadequate in quantity. Therefore, these procedures should only be used in the context of research. The research should include adequacy of resection margins, survival, recurrence or reoperation rates, tumour size and location, patient breast size, quality of life, and cosmesis.

Research should be conducted only in units specialising in the management of breast cancer, by surgeons trained in both breast cancer surgery and endoscopy.

NICE may review the procedure on publication of further evidence.