Breast-conserving surgery (BCS) is the surgical removal of cancerous tissue and leaving as much healthy breast tissue as possible. Surrounding healthy tissue and lymph nodes can also be removed. How much tissue is removed depends on tumor size, tumor location, and several other factors. It is generally suitable for early stage breast cancers.
Cases who undergo breast-conserving surgery need to receive radiotherapy to prevent tumor development in the healthy breast.
Women who choose breast-conserving surgery and radiotherapy alternatives have their entire breast removed (mastectomy). ) life expectancy and disease course do not differ depending on the cases.
The treatments required after all other breast cancer surgeries (chemotherapy, hormonotherapy) are applied in the same way.
After breast-conserving surgery, the symptoms that can be seen after all surgeries are applied. Wound problems may occur. Scar, stiffness, swelling at the surgical site, arm edema are some of these.
BCS is a good option for early stage breast cancers. The remaining breast tissue is repaired to ensure symmetry with the opposite breast. This may not always be possible depending on the person's anatomy, location and size of the tumor. In such cases, the operated breast can be supported with silicone implants or its own tissue. Sometimes, if the opposite breast is very large and sagging, symmetry can be achieved by reducing and lifting this breast.
Who can undergo BCS?
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Women who do not want to lose their breasts
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Those who accept to receive radiotherapy
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Those who have not received radiotherapy before
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Those who have no medical obstacle to receive radiotherapy ( collagen tissue disease, such as lupus)
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If the tumor is located in one place in the breast or if it is several focuses, all of them can be removed through a single incision
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Small tumor if present (<5cm)
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If the breast size is not too small compared to the tumor volume
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If she is not pregnant (it can be done in the last period of pregnancy )
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If it is not genetic or familial breast cancer
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If it is not inflammatory breast cancer, BCS can be performed.
How do we make sure that the tumor is completely cleared?
During surgery, tissue is removed from the tumor. The mass is removed by removing an average of 1 cm from the surrounding intact tissue, leaving a clear margin. The surgical piece is examined by the pathologist and clear (tumor negative) margins are confirmed. If the tumor margins are positive, the margins are expanded again (re-excision). If it is positive again, a mastectomy (removal of the entire breast) operation should be performed.
The lymph nodes should be evaluated in the same session.
Things to wonder about after the surgery
The day after the surgery, your doctor will perform a different procedure. If he doesn't say anything, it can be done.
You can put on the bra as soon as you get to bed after surgery.
There is no special diet regarding your nutrition. You can eat anything as long as you are healthy.
You can use painkillers containing paracetamol for pain.
You can talk to your doctor about the details and expectations for a full return to physical activity.
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