Breast Cancer Surgery IN INDIA

Breast cancer causes the maximum number of cancer-related deaths among women worldwide. The advancements in medical technology and increased awareness have led to an early diagnosis of breast cancer and better treatment outcomes.

Breast cancer is affecting 1 in 39 women worldwide.  More than 3.8 million women in the world are affected by breast cancer. It is now the second leading cause of death after lung cancer among women.

Anatomy of breast cancer:

The breast is made up of milk-producing lobules and ducts that are bordered by fatty and connective tissue.

A lump or a tumor develops in the breast when some of the breast cells grow out of control. Irregular cells can spread to other parts of the body via the bloodstream and lymph arteries (metastasized).

Breast cancer may lead to changes in the breast such as changes in breast size and shape of nipples.

Types of Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is classified into numerous types, including:

1. Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS): This is a type of cancer where abnormal cells appear inside the milk ducts but they still haven’t expanded beyond.
2. Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC): This is the most widespread kind of breast cancer. The abnormal cells originate in the milk ducts and spread to various other areas of the breast.
3. Invasive Lobular Carcinoma (ILC): This type of cancer grows from the milk-producing lobules to other tissues of the breast.
4. Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC): This type of cancer is uncommon but dangerous. It may not cause a lump to grow, but it makes the breast area appear red and swollen.
5. Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC): This type of cancer is challenging to treat as it lacks estrogen, progesterone, and HER2 protein receptors.
6. HER2-Positive Breast Cancer: This type of cancer has a surplus of a protein called HER2, which may trigger the cancer to grow faster than normal.
7. Paget’s disease of the Nipple: This is a type of cancer that impacts the nipple’s skin and may be linked to a separate kind of breast cancer.

Signs and Symptoms of Breast Cancer

For effective treatment, identifying the early symptoms and warning signs of breast cancer is important.

These warning signs and symptoms might also be linked to harmless conditions, therefore their occurrence is not always a sign of breast cancer. Any unusual changes, however, should not be ignored and require medical care for proper evaluation and treatment.

Several signs and symptoms of breast cancer include:

1. An enlargement or presence of a lump in the breast or underarm
2. Breast enlargement or change in its size
3. Change in nipples – inversion (nipple turning inward), redness, or unusual discharge other than breast milk
4. Redness, rash, or other unusual skin changes on the breast or nipple
5. Sudden pulling inward of nipples
6. Severe pain or discomfort in the breasts
7. Unexplained loss of appetite or weight loss.
8. Any recent or unforeseen changes observed while self-examining the breast.

Diagnosis of Breast Cancer

The process of determining whether someone has breast cancer involves several methods and tests.

The essential elements of the procedure for diagnosing breast cancer are as follows:

1. Physical Examination: The doctor will perform a physical examination of the breast to check for any lumps or changes in size or shape.
2. Mammogram: A mammogram is an X-ray of the breast to see if there’s something strange that may indicate breast cancer.
3. Ultrasound: It uses sound waves to create pictures of the breasts. It helps in detecting solid lumps (tumors) and fluid-filled cysts.
4. Biopsy: If a doubtful lump or irregularity is detected during a mammogram or ultrasound, a biopsy is performed. A biopsy is conducted to confirm the existence of cancer in the breast by extracting tissue samples for laboratory analysis. There are three types of breast biopsies:

• FNAC
• Open biopsy
• Core biopsy
• True cut biopsy

5. Staging and grading of breast cancer: Once breast cancer has been recognized, additional tests, such as CT scans, MRIs, bone scans, PET scans, ICD markers, and Hormone receptor status are done to determine the stage of cancer.

Breast Cancer Treatment Options in India

Breast cancer treatment in India is diverse and meets global norms. The major methods of treatment available are:

1. Surgery: The breast cancer surgery cost in India depends on many factors, making breast cancer treatment accessible to many patients. There are different types of surgeries performed in India such as:

• Lumpectomy: In a lumpectomy, the tumor and nearby healthy breast tissue is removed, safeguarding most of the part of the breast while eliminating cancer. Lumpectomy surgery costs in India may range around $ 2000 to $3000, depending upon the medical facility and other factors.
• Mastectomy: In a mastectomy, the complete breast is removed. When the tumor becomes large or when the patient wants to have the entire breast removed for treatment, it is surgically removed. The breast cancer removal surgery cost in India for one patient starts from $3000.
• Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy: Several lymph nodes in the underarm are removed during this operation. These lymph nodes are studied to see whether or not cancer has begun to grow beyond the breast.
• Axillary Lymph Node Dissection: In this surgery, more lymph nodes are removed to check for cancer spread.
• Breast Reconstruction: Some people might prefer to get breast reconstruction after undergoing a mastectomy. The method helps in the restoration of the breast’s shape and appearance.

Cost of breast cancer surgery in India

Depending upon the type of breast cancer surgery, the cost of breast cancer surgery in India may vary between 3000 USD to 8000 USD (breast reconstruction surgery).

Radiation Therapy: This therapy targets and kills cancer cells using high-energy X-rays. It decreases the chances of cancer returning to the cured area. There are two types of radiation therapy given to the breast cancer patient:

External beam radiation therapy: External beam radiation therapy is given through a machine from outside the body. Usually, EBRT is given for 21-35 days (5 days a week with 2 days gap every week). The different type of breast cancer EBRT includes:

• VMAT
• IMRT
• IGRT
• Proton therapy

Brachytherapy: It is not commonly used for breast cancer patients. Unlike EBRT brachytherapy does not require radiation beams to be given to breast issues by the machines from outside the body. Instead radioactive material in the form of wire, pallet, or capsule is placed in the tumor bed.

Cost of Radiation Therapy for breast cancer treatment in India

Depending upon type and number of sessions the cost of radiation therapy may vary from 3000 USD to 6000 USD.

Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy involves strong drugs to kill or slow the spread of cancer cells. Most of the time combination of chemo drugs are used to minimise the side effects and reduce the chances of recurrence.

There are two ways chemotherapy is given to breast cancer patients:

• Before Surgery/ Neo-adjuvant chemotherapy
• After Surgery/Adjuvant chemotherapy

Adjuvant chemotherapy is usually given after the complete healing of surgical wounds (4-6 weeks).

Cost of chemotherapy for breast cancer in India

• Cost of inserting Chemo-port: $1000-$1200
• Chemotherapy is usually given in cycles. The cost of chemotherapy for breast cancer depends on the chemotherapy drugs used. The cost of one cycle of chemotherapy may vary from $400-$1200

4. Hormone Therapy: Depending upon the hormone receptor (ER+, PR+), it reduces the production of hormones that promote breast cancer growth.
5. Targeted Therapy: Targeted therapies are medications that directly target cancer cells with defined features. HER 2-positive breast cancer patients are given Herceptin (trastuzumab) along with other chemotherapeutic drugs.

Risks and Complications in Breast Cancer Treatment

Breast cancer treatment is essential in fighting cancer, but it comes with certain risks and complications, such as:

• Surgery risks: Lumpectomy or mastectomy may lead to infections, bleeding, and anesthesia-related issues.
• Lymphedema: Removal of lymph nodes can end up resulting in arm or chest swelling,
• Radiation effects: Skin irritation, fatigue, and breast appearance changes.
• Chemotherapy effects: Hair loss, nausea, fatigue, and infection susceptibility.
• Hormone therapy effects: Hot flashes, mood swings, and bone changes.
• Targeted & immunotherapy effects: Rashes, diarrhea, and immune system issues.
• Menopause symptoms: In younger women, certain therapies may result in periods of hot flashes and mood swings.
• Heart risks: Certain treatments can have long-term effects on heart health.
• Fertility concerns: Some treatments may affect fertility, and preserving ovarian reserves may be significant.

Recovery after Breast Cancer Treatment

• The body requires time to repair after treatment, and feeling exhausted or uncomfortable is common, but it can heal with rest and care.
• Regular check-ups with doctors are necessary for analyzing progress and attaining the greatest possible results.
• Eating healthily, being active, and avoiding unsafe habits are all important for recovery.
• Exercise regularly

Follow-up after successful breast cancer treatment in India

• After the completion of breast cancer treatment, the Doctor may advise regular self-breast examination to feel any new lump or tumor in either of the breast.
• Follow-up with CT-thorax region and chest, PET-CT scan initially after 6 months then once a year or up to 2 years.

More Info About Breast Cancer Surgery

Breast Cancer Surgery Success Rate in India

Breast Cancer Treatment in India has a very high success rate, which means many people get better and overcome breast cancer. The success rate depends on different things like the hospital, the doctor, and the patient. If you want to know how well Breast Cancer Treatment works in India, you can talk to our healthcare experts online. They will be happy to help you understand how successful the treatment can be in fighting breast cancer. Remember, getting the right treatment and support can make a big difference in beating breast cancer and staying healthy.