OVERVIEWBreast cancer is the most common cancer among Indian women.
Since no two breast cancers are the same, it is important for breast cancer specialists to thoroughly go through the patient’s diagnostic information and employ a personalised, patient-centric approach to assist them in the best way possible.
Breast surgical oncology is a special subspecialty of surgical oncology that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.
This one-of-a-kind subspecialty focuses on understanding breast cancer in the best way possible and effectively managing it by employing different surgical approaches.
Surgical Approaches for Breast Cancer Management
At HCG, our breast oncology team has some of the best breast cancer surgeons in India, who specialise in managing simple to complex and challenging breast cancer cases. Our breast cancer surgeons have received extensive training in:
Breast biopsy
Lumpectomy
(removal of the tumour from the breast)
Mastectomy
(removal of the entire breast)
Lymph node excision
Breast reconstruction surgery
Breast Biopsy
A breast biopsy is a procedure in which a small sample of breast tissue is removed and examined under a microscope for the presence of cancerous cells. A biopsy is often recommended for a definitive diagnosis. Fine needle aspiration, core needle biopsy, and excisional biopsy are the different types of biopsies recommended for breast cancer diagnosis.
Lumpectomy
Lumpectomy involves the removal of the breast tumour, along with a small margin of surrounding healthy tissue. Since this procedure does not remove the entire breast, it is also known as “breast conservation surgery.” This procedure is typically used for early-stage breast cancers.
Mastectomy
Mastectomy that removes the entire breast. There are different types of mastectomies, namely:
The type of mastectomy that is recommended will depend on the size and stage of the breast cancer, as well as the patient’s overall health.
Lymph Node Excision
During this procedure, the lymph nodes that are most likely to be affected by breast cancer are removed and examined for the presence of cancer cells.
This procedure is often performed with lumpectomy or mastectomy and can help determine the extent of cancer and the need for additional treatment.
Breast Reconstruction Surgery
Breast reconstruction surgery is performed to rebuild the shape of the breast after a mastectomy or lumpectomy. The goal of breast reconstruction surgery is to restore the appearance of the breast as well as improve self-esteem and quality of life for patients who have undergone breast cancer treatment.
At HCG, we have the best breast surgical oncologists and reconstruction surgeons who are armoured with vast experience in performing breast reconstruction surgeries. Based on the patient’s overall health status and preferences, one of the following reconstruction procedures will be recommended:
Implant-based Reconstruction
In this type of reconstruction, an artificial implant is used to recreate the shape of the breast. The implant can be placed under the chest muscle or directly behind the breast tissue. Breast implants are classified into two types: saline implants and silicone implants.
Autologous Reconstruction
In this type of reconstruction, tissues from other parts of the body are used to rebuild the breast. The most common type of autologous reconstruction is called a “flap” procedure, in which tissue, fat, and skin are taken from another part of the body (such as the abdomen, buttocks, or inner thigh) and used to rebuild the breast.
Hybrid Reconstruction
In this type of reconstruction, a combination of implants and autologous tissue is used to recreate the breast.
Breast reconstruction surgery can be done immediately after mastectomy or lumpectomy, or later. Immediate reconstruction allows patients to undergo breast cancer surgery and reconstruction simultaneously; however, this may not be feasible for all. Delayed reconstruction allows more time to heal before undergoing the procedure.
Breast Surgical Oncology at HCG
The primary goal of having the breast surgical oncology subspeciality at HCG is to ensure that every breast cancer patient that reaches out to us is diagnosed accurately and treated effectively. As the best cancer hospital in India, we house some of India’s top breast cancer surgeons at HCG. Along with giving the best quality treatment, these specialists also prioritise the patient’s comfort and quality of life during and after the treatment.
