Breast Cancer Surgery is a crucial component of the process of breast cancer treatment. It is done to remove a tumour or cancer cells from the breast. Additionally, the surrounding lymph node tissues may also be removed if cancer cells have spread further. This procedure can also be accompanied with radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

This surgery is performed through various approaches, i.e. by removing the entire breast (mastectomy), removing a part or portion of the breast (lumpectomy), or by removing the surrounding lymph nodes for reconstruction of the breast tissues after surgery. Your oncologist will suggest you the approach you need to go with depending upon your condition.

Breast Cancer Surgery is generally performed to treat various stages of cancer which include non-invasive breast cancers, early-stage breast cancer, larger breast cancers, locally advanced breast cancer, recurring breast cancer, and it is also performed for prevention of genetically passed on breast cancer.

Based on the type and stage of cancer, your oncologist will recommend the type of surgery you need to undergo.

This surgery is also performed for reconstruction of the breast using implants or folding of the tissue, either during the surgery or in a later operation. The sole purpose of this surgery is the removal of a tumour and preventing its spread to the rest of the body.

Some of the risk factors associated with breast cancer surgery are short-term pain and feeling of soreness or tenderness around the treated portion. There can be swelling, bleeding, infection, permanent scarring or problems in the healing of the wound. A common complication observed is the swelling of arms, termed as lymphedema. Pain due to the incision may be experienced in the operated region. Also, the skin in the operated region may feel tight or stiff. Your doctor will prescribe you suitable medications for any possible complications, however, any serious pain or bleeding must be immediately reported to your doctor.

With a surge in technological advancements in the field of oncology and by the adoption of new techniques along with the traditional means, the success rate of Breast Cancer Surgery has relatively increased. Studies have shown that a lumpectomy combined with radiotherapy has lower risks of recurrence when compared to that of a mastectomy.

 If cancer has been detected at an early stage, then Breast Cancer Surgery can prove to be very effective and can also help in the complete treatment of cancer. However, if cancer has been detected at an advanced stage and has spread to the milk ducts, then minimal invasive surgeries can be performed to relieve symptoms of advanced cancer.

The earlier, the better. If cancer has been detected at an early stage, then there is a high chance of treatment and surgery alone can help in total recovery. The surgery must be performed as soon as possible after it has been diagnosed. If the spread of the cancer is widespread, then surgeries can be performed to prevent the further spread of cancer and a combination of radiotherapy, chemotherapy and hormone infusion may be used.

Depending upon the physical state of the patient and the extent of tumour, your oncologist will perform surgery without any further delay.

Since the only way to treat Breast Cancer is by eliminating the cause itself, surgery is generally unavoidable. If detected at the earliest stage, surgery can help in complete recovery. Surgery is also combined with other treatment measures such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Based on the stage and extent of your cancer, your doctor or oncologist will recommend relevant tests for diagnosis and to determine if surgery will be necessary. Some of these tests include:

• Physical examination of the breast
• Mammogram
• Breast ultrasound
• Biopsy
• Breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• A thorough background check of the patients’ medical history.

A Breast Cancer Surgery can be performed with two different approaches based on the type, stage, and extent of cancer. They are as follows:

1. Lumpectomy

It is also known as breast-conserving surgery or wide local excision and is a surgical procedure to remove affected part of the breast and some of the nearby normal tissue to completely rule out the presence of any cancerous cells, leaving the rest of the breast intact.

This procedure is usually performed when cancer is in its early or primary stage, and when it is combined with radiotherapy, it helps in the prevention of the return of cancer.

2. Mastectomy

This is a surgical procedure which involves the removal of the entire breast tissue in order to eliminate the cancerous cells. It is usually recommended when the spread of cancer is widespread. It is followed by the reconstruction of the breasts using implants or the fold of the tissue, either during the same operation or in a later one.

Mastectomy can be performed in the following ways:

• Partial Mastectomy – a portion larger than that in a lumpectomy is removed.
• Skin-sparing Mastectomy – all the regions like breast, nipple, areola, and sentinel lymph node except the breast skin is removed.
• Total Mastectomy – the breast, nipple, areola, and sentinel lymph node are removed leaving the chest wall and the distant lymph nodes intact.

A lumpectomy may take around fifteen to forty-five minutes. A mastectomy may be performed for a duration of about two to three hours. If reconstruction is performed at the same time, then the process will take longer.

The components used in breast cancer surgery are the basic equipment required during the operation. If reconstruction is done, then implants made up of viscous silicone or similar substances may be used.

A slight pain due to the surgery will persist due to the incisions and the surgery. The pain will subside within a few days if proper care is taken as instructed by the doctor. If any abnormal pain or bleeding is observed, it must be reported to your doctor so that it can be taken care of.

Complete recovery from Breast Cancer Surgery can take up to three to four weeks. If the lymph nodes have been removed, then the recovery process may take longer. Normal activities can be resumed after a period of six weeks. 

All the regular activities that were performed prior to diagnosis can be resumed after the surgery. However, instead of performing high impact physical activities immediately after the surgery,  gradually increasing the level of physical activity is recommended.

Consult your doctor regarding the exercises and dietary precautions to be followed post-surgery

The cost of a Breast Cancer Surgery in India is about four to five lakhs, which is relatively cheaper than most countries. There are several regional cancer treatment centres and health insurance policies which provide these treatments at a nominal and affordable price. Private hospitals charge more when compared to government hospitals.

Yes, people come from other countries to get treated for breast cancer. India is well reputed for providing efficient healthcare, especially in the field of oncology. India is well equipped with expert surgeons, latest technologies, and high efficacy rate of surgeries is available at a very reasonable rate in comparison to the other countries.

This choice is dependent on several factors like the availability of doctors, patients consent, affordability, stage and type of cancer, the willingness of the patient to undergo treatment. Taking all these parameters into consideration, the family and the patient need to make a wise call to ensure that the best treatment within their capacity is availed to them.