The treatment for breast cancer is usually recommended after analysing some key factors like the size and site of tumour, the extent to which it is spread, lab investigation results, stage of the breast cancer and the generalised health and age of the patient.

Treatment options for breast cancer includes;

• Surgical intervention: Breast cancer can be treated by surgery using two approaches depending on the extent and stage of cancer.
  • Breast conserving surgery: The main goal of breast conserving surgery is to save as much breast tissue as possible by removing only the part of the tissue containing cancer. Women might need radiation therapy or chemotherapy after this surgery. This surgery includes;
    • Partial mastectomy
    • Lumpectomy/ quadrantectomy
  • Breast removal surgery: Breast removal surgery aims at removing the entire breast, and is medically called as mastectomy. Breast removal is often followed by the reconstruction surgery to restore the normal appearance of the breast. However, reconstruction surgery is subjective. Mastectomy can be performed using following methods;
    • Simple mastectomy: entire breast is removed sparing the axillary lymph nodes and tissue/ muscle underneath the breast. It is the most common type of surgery used to treat breast cancer.
    • Skin sparing mastectomy: skin sparing mastectomy is done in females who choose to get reconstruction surgery after mastectomy. In this procedure, the breast tissue is removed keeping the skin over the breast and the nipples intact.
    • Radical mastectomy: this is an extensive procedure characterised by removal of entire breast with the axillary lymph nodes and pectoral muscle of the chest present under the breast.
    • Modified radical mastectomy: this is less extensive commonly performed surgery in which the breast is removed along with the axillary lymph nodes. Lymph nodes are removed using;
      • Axillary lymph node dissection (ALND in which around 10-20 lymph nodes are removed from the axilla and are checked for cancer spread.
      • Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) only removes the first few lymph nodes up to which the cancer is most likely spread.
• Radiation therapy: It is often needed after the breast conservation surgery like partial mastectomy and lumpectomy in which radiations are used to destroy the cancerous cell in the breast and occasionally in the axilla and chest wall under the breast.
• Chemotherapy: Unlike radiation therapy, in this the medication given by injections are used to kill the cancer cells. This therapy has the side effect like hair loss, nausea, vomiting and sometimes infection as along with the cancer cells this can affect the normal healthy cells too.
• Medication therapy: This includes;
  • Hormone therapy: Mostly used for postmenopausal women in which cancer cells which have oestrogen receptors are targeted and their growth is stopped using the oestrogen blocking medication like tamoxifen. It is usually done to enhance the chances of recovery and to allow the surgery to take place with success.
  • Biological therapy: This is given by injections which inhibits the growth of cancer cells and assist to kill those cell.

If you have been suffering from above mentioned symptoms, and if the reports of your laboratory tests are indicating the signs of breast cancer or if you are diagnosed with the breast cancer, then you should undergo the treatment at the earliest.

Breast removal surgery or mastectomy is commonly performed surgery for treating breast cancer which is followed either by radiation therapy or chemotherapy depending upon the type and extent of the disease. The patient may opt for breast reconstruction surgery immediately after mastectomy or can do it after few weeks or months.

Mastectomy is performed under general anaesthesia. The duration of the surgery depends on the type of mastectomy to be done, but usually takes 2-3 hours.

The surgery is done under general anesthesia. As soon as the anaesthesia starts taking its effect, with all aseptic precautions, surgeon will make an incision in shape of ellipse around the breast. The breast tissue with or without the lymph nodes is removed which depending on the type of procedure. But irrespective of the type of mastectomy being performed, small part of the removed breast tissue and nodes are sent to the laboratory for analysis.

The incisions are sutured and the draining tube is placed in the chest area to drain the fluids accumulated after the surgery. The patient is moved to recovery room for observation. The tubes are removed once the fluids are drained completely and then the patient is discharged.

After the surgery, the patient is shifted to recovery room where she will be under observation until awake. 1-2 days of hospitalization is required after the surgery. However, less extensive surgeries like breast conserving surgery needs a short stay. There might be some pain and pinching sensation in the axillary region which will go off gradually. The patient is given instructions on self-care from the health care team.

One can resume daily activities within a period of 2 weeks after breast conservation surgery. However, following total mastectomy, complete recovery takes around 4 weeks. Recovery time is further extended if the patient choose reconstruction surgery as well.

Most women feel the skin of chest or axilla little tight and stiff for some time, but these things improve as the time passes.

The results of breast cancer surgery depend upon the stage of the disease. If detected early, breast cancer can be completely treated and one can lead a normal life after breast cancer treatment in India.

The time required for breast cancer treatment in India depends on the stage and type of surgery chosen. If only surgery is required, about 2 weeks stay in India is enough. However, for chemotherapy and radiotherapy several weeks are required.