Breast Cancer Surgeries: Frequently Asked Questions
When a woman is diagnosed with Breast Cancer, they have many worries and questions. First, I would like to mention that Breast Cancer is curable. your Oncologist will first see your reports, understand their stage, and will help you arrive at a prognosis which will be shared with you.
What are the different types of Breast Cancer Surgeries?
Breast cancer Surgery involves the removal of the tumor and removal of armpit glands that is the lymph nodes that are in the armpit.
There are 2 parts to surgery, one is the conservation of surgery, in which the breast is saved, and just a part of the breast is removed. The second part of the surgery is the removal of lymph nodes.
When the tumor is small, we should go for conservation surgery but when the tumor is big, we may have to remove the entire breast. In those cases, we also do breast size, and shape contour, to retain the look and appearance of the breast.
Is Breast Conservation Surgery an ideal choice in terms of cancer recurrence?
Recurrence is not relative to the type of surgery. Even in cases of complete breast removal, there can be chances of recurrence.
Some patients believe that if the entire breast is removed, there is no need for chemotherapy and radiation. It is important to know that survival depends on complete treatment as prescribed.
Is it okay to let the surgeon decide the type of surgery?
If the surgeon feels it’s a localized tumor, the surgeon will recommend Breast Conservation Surgery.
If it’s an enlarged tumor, the surgeon will recommend a mastectomy.
Example: A woman 76 years of age was suffering from breast cancer. She had a localized tumor and the family wanted us to go ahead with breast removal, the lady took a call and asked me to go for breast conservation surgery if that is sufficient to treat breast cancer. So, if a 76-year-old woman can decide on breast conservation, it’s an example for other women.
**STAGE – III C* *Ovarian Cancer *. Given her advance stage, doctors planned her treatment accordingly. Dr. Atul Sharma, Senior Consultant – Department of Medical Oncology started treatment with chemotherapy. After primary chemotherapy, Dr. Ashish Goel, Director, and Dr. Vikash Nayak, Consultant – Department of Surgical Oncology did a *CYTOREDUCTIVE SURGERY* to remove all the affected parts, followed by a *HIPEC* therapy (in the operation theatre). This offers the best result in such advanced cases of ovarian cancer. After surgery, she completed subsequent chemotherapy. Now the patient is doing well. The happy patient and her daughter share their experience in this video.
What is Cytoreductive Surgery and what it does do?
Cytoreductive surgery the most common treatment for treatment of ovarian cancer. the surgery involves removal of tumor and its spread in nearby tissues.
CRS & HIPEC: CRS is a cancer surgery in which the surgeon removes cancer from abdomen and HIPEC is done after that.
Dr Ashish Goel is the best cancer surgeon in Noida. With 25+ years of experience, he is the most trusted oncologist
CRS (Cytoreductive Surgery) and HIPEC (Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy) are two components of a combined treatment approach used for certain types of advanced abdominal cancers, such as advanced ovarian cancer or pseudomyxoma peritonei.
Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) involves the surgical removal of visible tumors within the abdominal cavity. The goal is to remove as much tumor tissue as possible, reducing the tumor burden. This procedure aims to improve the effectiveness of subsequent treatments and potentially increase the patient’s overall survival rate.
Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) is a specialized form of chemotherapy delivered directly into the abdominal cavity during surgery. After CRS, a heated chemotherapy solution is circulated throughout the abdominal cavity to target any remaining cancer cells that may not be visible or accessible to surgical removal. The high temperature of the chemotherapy solution enhances its effectiveness in destroying cancer cells.
The combination of CRS and HIPEC aims to achieve two goals:
Cytoreduction: By removing visible tumors during CRS, the surgeon attempts to eliminate as much cancerous tissue as possible. The goal is to reduce the tumor burden and enhance the effectiveness of subsequent treatments.
Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy: HIPEC allows for the delivery of chemotherapy directly into the abdominal cavity, where it can reach any remaining cancer cells. The heat applied during HIPEC improves the penetration and effectiveness of the chemotherapy drugs.
This combined approach is typically performed in specialized centers by a multidisciplinary team of surgical oncologists, medical oncologists, and other healthcare professionals experienced in treating advanced abdominal cancers. The decision to use CRS and HIPEC depends on various factors, including the type and stage of cancer, the patient’s overall health, and their eligibility for such an extensive procedure.
It’s important to note that CRS and HIPEC are complex treatments and require careful patient selection and evaluation. The decision to pursue this treatment approach is made on an individual basis after a thorough assessment by the healthcare team.
