ALL ABOUT BREAST CONSERVATION SURGERY (BCS) OR PARTIAL MASTECTOMY:
What Makes It Better Than a Full Breast Removal or Full Mastectomy, Who Should Get It Done and When Should It Not Be Done? Breast Conserving Surgery (BCS) vs Mastectomy – Which is Better? Who to Consult for Breast Conservation Surgery (BCS)?
What is Breast Conservation Surgery (BCS)?
Breast Conserving Surgery (BCS), also known as lumpectomy or partial mastectomy, is a surgical procedure to remove the tumour/cancer or a small portion of the healthy tissue around the affected area in the breast, while keeping the breast intact. The primary aim of a Breast Conserving Surgery (BCS) is to eliminate the tumour/cancer in the affected breast while retaining as much of the natural breast as possible.
Benefits of Breast Conservation Surgery (BCS):
- Preserves the appearance and existence of the breasts; maintaining self-esteem and body image for the patient.
- Since it is a partial mastectomy, the recovery rate in a Breast Conserving Surgery (BCS) is much faster than a full mastectomy, and hence, the pain is also less.
- Breast Conservation Surgery is often paired with radiation therapy to reduce the chances of any relapse of cancer.
While the Breast Conservation Surgery (BCS) tackles the tumour / cancer directly, preserving the overall breasts, what should be considered is that the risk of recurrence of cancer can be much higher for some cases than a full mastectomy. Breast Conservation Surgery (BCS) may also not be recommended for those patients who have multiple tumours or stage 3 or 4 breast cancer, where the tumour / cancer has spread to the whole breasts.
What is Mastectomy?
A mastectomy is a surgical procedure that involves removing all the breast tissues (and often some lymph nodes around it) as well as one or both the breasts. It is a more invasive and aggressive form of breast cancer therapy, often recommended for multiple tumours or if the cancer has become more aggressive in the patient and is a type of preventive breast cancer surgery.
Benefits of Mastectomy:
- In some cases, a mastectomy eliminates the need for radiation therapy entirely.
- It has lesser chances of recurrence or relapse than a lumpectomy.
- It is less worrisome for patients since the risk of relapse is much lower.
- In a mastectomy, the need for follow-up mammograms is also significantly lesser.
- Patients can also opt for a breast reconstructive surgery after mastectomy, thus healing their self and body image too, all the while eliminating the cancer risk altogether.
Which Surgery to Go for: Breast Conserving Surgery (BCS) / Lumpectomy or Mastectomy?
Whether to go for a lumpectomy or a mastectomy is a decision that is dependent upon several factors:
- The size of the lump / tumour
- The degree of the spread of cancer and breast cancer stage
- Personal decision of the patient and her family upon a thorough discussion and reconciliation with the doctors
Only after all these factors have been evaluated and the tumour / cancer has been examined, the patient, her family and the doctors come to a consensus for the surgical option to go for the cancer treatment. While a lumpectomy provides for a much quicker and swifter rehabilitation, with modern technology and expertise coming in today’s age, rehabilitation after a mastectomy can also be patient-friendly in terms of availability of breast reconstructive surgery options.
Best Hospital & Doctors for Breast Cancer Treatment & Surgery
At Yashoda Superspeciality Hospital & Cancer Institutes, Sanjay Nagar, Ghaziabad, we provide a onestop breast health service and breast cancer care centre network with a personalised and multidisciplinary comprehensive treatment for any kinds of diseases or cancers associated with the breasts. Our network of breast cancer specialists, interventional radiologists, surgical oncologists and onco-reconstructive surgeons are well-equipped with decades of experience in the field of breast cancer oncology.
Dr. (Surg Lt Cdr) Anushree Vartak is the Director, Breast Surgical Oncology & Oncoplastic Surgery at Yashoda Hospital, Sanjay Nagar, Ghaziabad. She specialises in all kinds of breast diseases including the most benign and malignant breast cancers, breast cancer surgeries and breast oncoplastic surgeries. Formerly in the Indian Armed Forces, Dr. Vartak possesses over 12 years of experience in the field of breast cancer. Her evidence-based approach in the management of benign breast diseases and comprehensive management of breast cancer speaks volumes of her expertise and passion in the field.
Dr. (Col.) N. Chakravarty is the Director of Radiation Oncology with us. He comes with an experience of over three decades in the field of radiation oncology. Following his years of dedication and service, he has been bestowed with the honour of being the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Commendation.
Dr. Prof. (Col.) Mohammed Alam Parwaz is the Director, Plastic, Reconstructive & Cosmetic Surgery at Yashoda Hospital, Sanjay Nagar, Ghaziabad. Formerly at various esteemed positions in the Indian Armed Forces, he possesses an indelible experience in the field of plastic and reconstructive cancer surgeries of more than three decades.
For bookings or appointments, feel free to reach out to us at the given toll-free number – 9810709038/0120-4612000.
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