Surgery is one of the main methods for diagnosis as well as treating
breast cancer. There are various procedures available.
Excision biopsy
Excision biopsy involves the removal of the lump in the breast by surgery.
Mastectomy (Modified/ Radical)
Mastectomy involves the removal of the whole breast. This is usually accompanied by the
removal of lymph nodes in the fat pad under the arm on the same side as the breast
(Modified radical mastectomy). Occasionally one of the muscles of the chest wall is also
removed (radical mastectomy).
Breast Conserving Treatment
Breast conserving treatment involves the removal of the lump in the breast with removal of
the lymph nodes in the fat pad under the arm on the same side as the breast, often through
two different cuts on the skin. This treatment is followed by radiation therapy to the
breast. This allows the breast to be preserved and gives equivalent results as mastectomy
in selected patients. This treatment is suitable for small size tumours (< 4 cms). It
is also possible to treat selected large tumours after first subjecting them to drugs.
Drug treatment can decrease the size of the lump to a size that will allow breast
conservation.
