Best Breast Cancer Treatment in India
Breast cancer statistics in India reveal that it is the most common type of cancer in females with more than 25 cases reported per 1,00,000 cases. There has been a considerable improvement in the treatment of breast cancer in India in recent times.
The first step of breast cancer treatment is to determine the stage of the disease or the spread of cancer. Based on the stage, the tumor board decides the treatment plan for the patient.
Most of the time, breast cancer treatment in India is a multi-modality treatment that includes surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, etc. This multimodality breast cancer treatment ensures that the cancerous tissues are removed and that the probability of reoccurrence is reduced as far as possible.
Surgery is the most popular treatment for breast cancer. However, surgery needs to be complemented with other treatments such as chemotherapy, targeted therapy, radiation, or hormone therapy.
There are different types of breast cancer surgery conducted by surgeons as part of breast cancer treatment in India.
Based on the stage of cancer, one of the below-mentioned surgeries may be recommended by the surgeon.
1. Lumpectomy
This removes the tumor and surrounding tissues which are affected. The success of lumpectomy and radiation therapy has not only helped to check the spread of cancer but has also reduced the number of deaths from cancer considerably.
2. Mastectomy (Breast Removal Surgery)
In this surgery, the entire breast is removed, and in a double mastectomy, both breasts are removed. Reconstruction surgery is generally carried out along with mastectomy in which the breast skin or the nipple is conserved during the surgery.
3. Breast Conservation Surgery
BCS (breast-conserving surgery) removes cancer while preserving as much of the normal breast as possible. Some healthy tissue and lymph nodes are usually removed as well.
Depending on how much tissue is removed, breast-conserving surgery is referred to as a lumpectomy, quadrantectomy, partial mastectomy, or segmental mastectomy.
4. Sentinel Node Biopsy
In this surgery, a few of the lymph nodes that receive drainage from the tumor are removed and tested for cancer.
5. Axillary Lymph Node Dissection
If the lymph nodes removed during sentinel node biopsy contain cancer cells, then your doctor will remove a few more lymph nodes for testing.
6. Contralateral Prophylactic Mastectomy
In this surgery, even though cancer is present in one of the breasts, people tend to remove the healthier breast to reduce the risk of developing breast cancer again.
7. Breast Reconstruction Surgery
Many women having breast cancer surgery have the option to reconstruct their breasts.
Breast reconstruction usually falls into two categories: Implant reconstruction and Flap reconstruction.
In Implant reconstruction, breast implants are done to form a new breast mound whereas, in flap reconstruction, a patient’s own tissue from another part of the body is used to form a new breast.
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8. Oncoplastic Surgery
Most women who have a lumpectomy or breast conservation surgery might end up with breast deformity as a result of the surgery hence oncoplastic surgery is done either at the time of the initial surgery or after the completion of treatment.
Chemotherapy is a breast cancer treatment in India wherein the medical oncologist attempts to kill the cancerous tissues through medicines. The medicines are typically given through injections or IV.
Chemotherapy, at times, is also given to patients after the surgery to ensure that all the cancerous cells are killed even in nearby areas of the tumor which is surgically removed.
Sometimes, doctors might choose to administer chemotherapy before surgery to shrink the tumor and remove it easily.
In breast cancer treatment in India, radiotherapy (high-powered radiation) is used mostly after the surgery to target and kill any remaining cancer cells that might be left after the surgery is done.
Some breast cancer can be hormone positive; which means hormones like estrogen and progesterone stimulate certain cells of the breast. Breast cancer cells have receptors on them that are proteins that enable the cells to bind to estrogen and progesterone hormones to grow. The treatment that stops these hormones from attaching to these receptors is called hormone or endocrine therapy.
Hormone therapy can be taken internally and can thus affect cancer cells all over the body, not just breast cancer. This is advised for women with tumors that are receptor-positive for hormones. It does not benefit women whose tumors are hormone receptor-negative; that is, tumors that do not contain receptors for hormones.
Hormonal therapy is sometimes given after surgery and is done to reduce the chances of the cancer recurring. It may be given before the operation.
It is usually prescribed for at least 5 years. Treatment may be recommended for more than five years if the woman’s cancer is likely to recur. A test known as the Breast Cancer Index could be utilized to determine if a specific woman will be able to benefit from more than 5 years of hormone remedy.
Hormone therapy can also be used when the cancer returns or when it has metastasized to other parts of the body.
Approximately 60-65% of breast cancers are Estrogen Receptor (ER) and/or Progesterone Receptor (PR) positive. Their cancerous cells contain proteins that bind to estrogen (ER-positive cancer) and/or progesterone (PR-positive cancer).
Hormone therapy for breast cancer has several categories. The different types of hormone therapy either reduce the amount of estrogen in the body or block the action of estrogen on breast cancer cells.
Best Breast Cancer Hospital in India
We at MedicoExperts leave no stone unturned to offer professional help from a Tumor Board of well-experienced doctors having 30+ years of work experience.
We have been able to manage the simplest to the most complex of cases, thus making us the best when it comes to clinical excellence. We have modern facilities- including the latest diagnostic and therapeutic tools to handle cases that are not typical.
In the management of the disease, we offer quality services in treatment to every patient and this we do considering the uniqueness of each patient in need of the services.
Lastly, we adhere to the highest measures in the control of infections.
Best Doctor for Breast Cancer Treatment in India
It is very important to take note of the fact that one doctor will not guarantee success and survival rates; it is the team of doctors, in other words, the Tumour Board method helps in the success of treatment.
The tumor board approach is a new paradigm in the fight for increased survival in breast cancer patients. Innovative Consultants, Radiation Therapists and medical oncologists work together to provide the optimal level of care.
Cost of Breast Cancer Treatment in India
Breast cancer treatment can be a combination of therapies or a single treatment which depends on the stage and how serious the disease is. In such cases, the expense for the treatment is generally on the higher side.
Also, the expenses for breast cancer surgery in India will depend on the facility in which the procedures will be done.
Breast cancer surgery cost in India is still affordable as compared to many developed countries of the world.
The cost of lumpectomy with reconstruction in India is approximately between Rs. 2-3 lakhs. ($ 2000- 3000$)
If it is a major surgery like a mastectomy, you can spend anywhere between Rs 1 lakh to Rs 2 lakh. ( $1000-$2000)
The cost of Chemotherapy in India ranges from one to four lakhs of Rupees ($ 1000 -4000$) depending on the drugs that are to be used.
Radiotherapy can vary between Rs 1-3 lakhs ( $1000-$3000) for the treatment.
Role of Tumor Board in Treating Breast Cancer
Breast cancer treatment is not a simple process that begins with diagnosis and ends with treatment. But it is a process that involves diagnosis, planning, implementation, and follow-up.
The fundamental principle of cancer treatment is that the disease is treated by a team of different specialists- surgeons, medical and radiation oncologists, molecular oncologists, pathologists, radiologists, palliative oncologists, oncopsychologists, oncorehabilitationists, and many others. The best outcomes for any patient can be achieved only if all the decisions are made jointly by these specialists.
A tumor board is a group of specialists who respond to the problem periodically and decide on the further treatment of patients with breast cancer. It guarantees that there are many heads trying for a well-rounded management of breast cancer.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Q1. Is radiotherapy or chemotherapy needed after breast lump removal?
A. Adjuvant radiotherapy may be advised following mastectomy to kill any cancer cells that may have been left behind in the breast following surgery. Mastectomy is a procedure in which the surgeon tries to remove every cell of the breast tissue, which is a difficult task.
Q2. How long does the breast cancer surgery take to be completed?
A. A mastectomy alone may take one to three hours. The patient is usually discharged on the same day of the operation depending on how major the surgery is.
Q3. How long does it take to recover from breast cancer surgery?
A. Your wound may take approximately six to eight weeks to heal. However, it may take several months for your breast or chest wall and your arm to feel normal especially if you had surgery under your arm. Sometimes, the part that has been operated will always have a different feeling.
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Author Bio:
Dr. Yashashree Joshi – MBBS, MD (Philippines)
Dr. Yashashree Joshi, MD, is a globally-trained oncologist with a robust academic background and extensive experience in pioneering cancer treatments. Dedicated to patient-centered care, she continually integrates the latest advancements in oncology to provide her patients with innovative and personalized treatment plans.
Content Medically Reviewed By MedicoExperts Editorial & Clinically Review Board
