Breast Cancer Treatment in India

Surgery is the primary treatment for most breast cancer cases, particularly when detected early. The two main surgical approaches are breast-conserving surgery (lumpectomy), which removes the tumor along with a margin of healthy tissue while preserving the rest of the breast, and mastectomy, which removes the entire breast. The right approach depends on the tumor's size, location, number, and the patient's preference, after a full discussion with the surgical team.

Lumpectomy vs mastectomy

A lumpectomy is generally suitable for smaller, localised tumors and is usually followed by radiation therapy to reduce the risk of recurrence in the remaining breast tissue. A mastectomy may be recommended for larger tumors, multiple tumors, certain genetic risk factors, or patient preference, and does not always require follow-up radiation, depending on the case. In both approaches, nearby lymph nodes are often checked, and sometimes removed, to see if the cancer has spread.

Reconstruction

For patients undergoing a mastectomy, breast reconstruction can be done at the same time as the mastectomy or as a separate procedure later, using implants or the patient's own tissue. This is a personal decision discussed as part of surgical planning, and is not automatically included in every mastectomy.

What comes after surgery

Depending on the tumor's size, stage, hormone receptor status, and whether it has spread to lymph nodes, a treating oncologist may recommend chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, or targeted therapy after surgery. This is planned individually based on pathology results and is priced and scheduled separately from the surgery itself.