Breast Conservation Surgery

Breast Conservation Surgery (BCS) is a way to treat breast cancer by removing only the lump and a small margin of surrounding tissue. This is why it is often called a lumpectomy. It is for people with early-stage cancer who want to keep the natural look of their breast. It is a safe and effective choice, where Gleneagles Hospitals can help. The facilities are designed for high-tech cancer care, ensuring that every patient benefits from the latest medical innovations and a team of specialists at the forefront of their fields.

Breast Conservation Surgery is a targeted surgical method used to treat cancer by removing only the tumour and a surrounding edge of healthy tissue. By avoiding a full mastectomy, this procedure allows patients to keep their natural breast shape and sensation. Following the surgery, doctors typically prescribe radiation therapy to target any invisible cancer cells, significantly lowering the chance of the cancer returning. Clinical studies have confirmed that for many early-stage patients, this combination of surgery and radiation is just as effective and safe as removing the entire breast.

Three main techniques are used for breast conservation, selected based on the tumour's specific size and anatomical location:

• Lumpectomy:

The tumour and a thin margin of healthy tissue are excised. This is the primary method for most conservation surgeries.

• Wide Local Excision:

A more generous area of tissue is removed to ensure negative margins, which is necessary for larger or complex tumours.

• Oncoplastic Breast Surgery:

This procedure integrates oncology with plastic surgery to preserve breast shape. It is the preferred choice when a larger tissue resection is required to treat the cancer.

Not all patients with breast cancer are suitable candidates for breast conservation surgery. The right candidates for BCS include:

• Women diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer
• Patients with a single tumour that is small relative to breast size
• Tumours that can be completely removed with clear margins
• Patients who are willing and able to undergo postoperative radiation therapy
• Individuals in good overall health

Patients Who Are Not Suitable for Breast Conservation Surgery Include:

• Patients with multiple tumours in different areas of the breast
• Large tumours relative to breast size, where the cosmetic outcome would be poor
• Patients with persistent positive margins despite repeated excision
• Women who cannot undergo radiation therapy due to medical conditions or pregnancy
• Patients with certain connective tissue disorders affecting radiation tolerance

A team of doctors and nurses works together to perform breast-conserving surgery. Before your surgery, you will talk to your surgeon for a check-up. They will look at your old health notes and your X-rays or scans. They will also do a physical exam to see where the tumour is. You might need blood tests to confirm you are healthy enough for the operation. The doctor will also talk to you about checking your lymph nodes to see if the cancer has spread.

To ensure safety, patients must follow these preoperative guidelines:

• Stop smoking before the surgery date
• Adjust or stop specific medications as directed by the surgeon
• Carefully manage existing conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure

Refrain from food and drink for a specified time before the procedure

During your surgery under general anaesthesia, the team will remove the tumour and a margin of healthy tissue for your safety.

A separate small incision may be used to check your lymph nodes. The lab will then confirm that the edges are apparent.

Your surgeon will carefully reshape the tissue to keep your natural appearance. After one to two hours, the incisions are closed with sutures and covered with sterile dressings. We are here to support you through every minute of this process.

After surgery, you will rest in a recovery room. Most people go home the same day.

You might feel some pain or see some swelling. The doctor will give you medicine to help. The nurses will teach you how to clean your wound and tell you when to rest.

In a few days, a report will tell us if all the cancer was removed. This helps the doctor see if you need more medicine or radiation.

Radiation therapy usually starts a few weeks later. You will feel better slowly and be back to normal in a few weeks. Talking to a counsellor can also help you feel better.

Like any surgical procedure, breast conservation surgery carries certain risks. These include:

• Infection at the incision site
• Bleeding or haematoma formation
• Pain or numbness in the breast or arm
• Changes in breast shape or size
• Scarring

Cancer-Related Risks

• Positive surgical margins requiring additional surgery
• Local recurrence of breast cancer
• Lymphoedema if lymph nodes are removed

Radiation-Related Side Effects

• Skin irritation or redness
• Fatigue
• Breast firmness or swelling

Your doctor will discuss these risks in detail and take steps to minimise complications.

Gleneagles Hospitals is a powerhouse of breast cancer care in India. For those demanding the best breast conservation surgery, we offer aggressive medical expertise backed by elite technology and an uncompromising patient-centric approach.

• Multidisciplinary Breast Cancer Care

The hospital follows a multidisciplinary approach involving surgical oncologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, and rehabilitation specialists. This ensures personalised and coordinated care at every stage of treatment.

• Experienced Oncology Specialists

Gleneagles Hospitals has a team of highly experienced breast cancer specialists skilled in performing breast conservation and oncoplastic surgeries with excellent outcomes.

• Advanced Technology and Infrastructure

We use the latest technology to keep you safe, including modern operating rooms and precise imaging. Our advanced radiation tools are designed to treat you with the highest level of accuracy and care.

• Comprehensive Postoperative Care and Rehabilitation

Post-op care includes radiation, physiotherapy, and counselling, providing a holistic framework for a healthy, complete recovery journey.

Breast Conservation surgery is a safe and effective approach that removes early-stage tumours while prioritising the preservation of natural breast tissue. Success demands the best surgical hands and radiation follow-through, and Gleneagles Hospitals is the healthcare institution to find that expertise. With advanced tech and elite specialists, they provide the comprehensive care needed to win your battle.