Latest Advances in Oncoplastic Breast Surgery: What Patients in India Should Know
If you are planning a visit to your doctor for breast cancer diagnosis, your mental state can be assessed. No doubt, breast cancer diagnosis is a life-altering moment. Women going to the doctor for breast cancer examination are most worried not just about overcoming the disease, but also about the physical changes and the lost of femininity that can follow surgery. Good thing is that the field of breast cancer surgery has undergone a revolutionary transformation in recent times. Today, there are innumerable breast cancer survivors who not just overcame cancer but didn’t sacrifice their sense of self.
What is Oncoplastic Breast Surgery?
The new trend that has changed this narrative is Oncoplastic Surgery. This is a dual procedure where the cancer surgeon removes the tumor, and at the same time, plastic surgery techniques are used to reshape and reconstruct the breast. The goal is twofold: one, to achieve a complete cancer removal; and, two, to preserve or even improve the natural appearance of the breast.
The New Game-Changer Technique for Patients in India
- Excellent Oncological Outcomes: For a breast cancer patient, the primary goal is complete cancer removal. Studies have shown that oncoplastic techniques allow for wider and more precise tumor removal, thus reducing the risk of recurrence significantly.
- Superior Cosmetic Results: Through Oncoplastic Surgery, it is possible for women to wake up from surgery with their breast contour largely preserved. This gives profound and positive impact on the woman’s self-esteem, body image, and overall quality of life during recovery.
- Reduces Need for Major Reconstructive Surgery Later: In most cases and for many women, oncoplastic surgery performed during the initial operation can eliminate or simplify the need for complex reconstructive procedures at a later stage.
Latest Advances in the Field
- Therapeutic Mammoplasty: This is a key advance procedure where the tumor is removed along with a breast reduction or lift pattern. It is an excellent option for women with larger sized breasts, as it allows for large tumor removal while making the opposite breast symmetrical through a reduction.
- Goldilocks Procedure: It is a latest technique that offers a tailored post-mastectomy reconstruction option, creating a natural-looking breast mound without the need for complex flaps or implants. It is ideal for certain specific body types.
- Nipple-Sparing and Skin-Sparing Mastectomy: These too are advanced procedures that allow for the removal of breast tissue while preserving the patient’s own breast skin and nipple. Subsequently and immediately, reconstruction is performed, resulting in a breast that looks very natural
- Improved Symmetrization Techniques: More refined methods are now being used to ensure that both the breasts look symmetrical after surgery, which may involve operating on the healthy breast to create a perfect match.
Addressing a Common Concern: Breast Cancer Treatment Cost in India
- Reducing the need for a second corrective surgery.
- Minimizing psychological distress and associated costs.
- Allowing for a quicker return to daily life and work.
Choosing the Right Breast Cancer Surgeon and Hospital
- A surgeon with specific training and a proven track record in oncoplastic techniques
- A Cancer Hospital in Lucknow that has a full team of experts – including medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, pathologists, and radiologists – all working together to create a personalized treatment plan for you
Health City Vistaar is a reputed Cancer Hospital in Lucknow, where the entire team is committed to bringing world-class, compassionate cancer care. Dr. Navneet Tripathi, who serves as Oncoplastic Breast, Thyroid & Endocrine Surgeon at the Health City Vistaar, has served with premier institutions like SGPGI – Lucknow, and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre, USA. These experiences have equipped him with the expertise to perform advanced oncoplastic procedures on all type of patients.