Breast Cancer Surgery

Breast cancer surgery brings together a range of specialised procedures designed to treat cancer effectively while preserving quality of life, body integrity, and long-term well-being. From early diagnosis to reconstruction, each step of care is guided by medical precision, multidisciplinary collaboration, and individualised decision-making.

Every diagnosis is unique. Some patients require breast-conserving surgery, while others benefit from mastectomy or oncoplastic techniques that combine cancer treatment with aesthetic reconstruction. Advances in minimally invasive approaches and breast reconstruction now allow many women to achieve both oncological safety and balanced, natural-looking results.

Care within a dedicated breast cancer clinic ensures coordinated management across all stages of treatment. Surgical choices are never made in isolation, but in close collaboration with oncology, radiology, and pathology teams, always adapted to the tumour characteristics, medical indications, and the patient’s personal priorities.

Explore the different breast cancer surgery options below to better understand each approach and how they may fit into an individualised treatment plan focused on both health and recovery.

Breast Cancer Clinic

Multidisciplinary care coordinated around surgical expertise

A breast cancer clinic brings together specialised medical professionals involved in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer, working within a coordinated care pathway. Surgical management is provided by an experienced breast surgeon, in close collaboration with oncology, imaging, pathology, and supportive care teams.

This multidisciplinary approach ensures that each treatment decision is based on a comprehensive medical evaluation, taking into account tumour characteristics, overall health, and individual priorities. While surgery plays a central role, care is never delivered in isolation, allowing patients to benefit from a clear, structured, and medically sound treatment plan.

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Breast Cancer Clinic – Frequently Asked Questions

A breast cancer clinic coordinates all aspects of breast cancer care, including diagnosis, surgical planning, treatment, and follow-up. By working within a multidisciplinary team, the clinic ensures that medical decisions are shared, evidence-based, and tailored to each patient’s needs.

Surgical care is provided by a dedicated breast surgeon, but overall treatment involves collaboration with other specialists such as oncologists and radiologists. This ensures that surgery is fully integrated into a broader treatment strategy rather than considered in isolation.

Breast cancer treatment often requires combining different medical approaches. Multidisciplinary collaboration improves decision-making, reduces delays, and ensures that each patient benefits from a coordinated and well-structured care pathway.

Oncoplastic Breast Surgery

Treating breast cancer while preserving breast shape and balance

Oncoplastic breast surgery combines cancer removal with reconstructive techniques to preserve or restore the natural shape of the breast. It is designed for women who require surgical treatment for breast cancer and wish to maintain breast contour and symmetry whenever medically appropriate.

This approach integrates oncological safety with reconstructive planning from the very beginning. By combining tumour removal and reshaping techniques in a single surgical strategy, oncoplastic surgery helps minimise visible deformity while respecting strict cancer treatment standards. Decisions are made collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team and adapted to each patient’s anatomy, tumour characteristics, and treatment plan.

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Oncoplastic Breast Surgery – Frequently Asked Questions

No. Oncoplastic breast surgery follows the same oncological principles as standard breast cancer surgery. Tumour removal remains the priority, with clear margins and medical safety guiding every decision. Reconstructive techniques are planned around these requirements, not at their expense.

In many cases, reshaping is performed during the same operation as tumour removal. However, additional procedures may sometimes be recommended to improve symmetry or address changes following radiotherapy. This is discussed in advance so expectations remain clear and realistic.

Breast-Conserving Surgery (Lumpectomy)

Removing the tumour while preserving the breast

Breast-conserving surgery, also known as lumpectomy, is a surgical procedure that removes the cancerous tumour while preserving as much healthy breast tissue as possible. It is commonly recommended for early-stage breast cancer when the tumour can be safely excised without removing the entire breast.

The objective is always oncological safety first: the tumour is removed with a margin of healthy tissue to reduce the risk of recurrence. When appropriate, this approach allows women to maintain the natural shape of their breast. Lumpectomy is often combined with radiotherapy as part of a comprehensive treatment plan discussed within a multidisciplinary team.

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Breast-Conserving Surgery (Lumpectomy) – Frequently Asked Questions

Eligibility depends on several factors, including tumour size, location, breast size, and overall treatment strategy. Breast-conserving surgery is generally considered when the tumour can be removed completely while maintaining acceptable breast shape and oncological safety. A detailed assessment determines whether this approach is suitable in your case.

For selected early-stage breast cancers, breast-conserving surgery followed by radiotherapy has been shown to provide survival outcomes comparable to mastectomy. The choice between procedures depends on tumour characteristics, medical indications, and personal considerations rather than effectiveness alone.

Some change in shape or firmness may occur depending on the amount of tissue removed. In many cases, cosmetic results are satisfactory, especially when oncoplastic techniques are incorporated. Your surgeon will discuss expected changes and possible options to optimise symmetry if needed.

Mastectomy Surgery

Complete removal of breast tissue when medically indicated

Mastectomy surgery involves the removal of all breast tissue as part of breast cancer treatment. It may be recommended when the tumour is large relative to breast size, when multiple tumours are present, when cancer recurs after previous treatment, or when breast-conserving surgery is not medically appropriate.

The primary objective is complete oncological safety. Depending on the clinical situation, different types of mastectomy may be performed, including skin-sparing or nipple-sparing approaches when suitable. Surgical planning is always discussed within a multidisciplinary team to ensure that the procedure aligns with the overall treatment strategy. When appropriate, breast reconstruction options can be considered either at the same time (immediate reconstruction) or at a later stage (delayed reconstruction).

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Mastectomy Surgery – Frequently Asked Questions

Mastectomy may be recommended when removing only the tumour would not provide sufficient oncological safety. This can occur if the tumour is large, involves multiple areas of the breast, or if previous treatments limit conservative options. The decision is based on medical criteria rather than preference alone.

In many cases, yes. Immediate breast reconstruction can often be performed during the same operation, depending on tumour characteristics, planned additional treatments, and overall health. In other situations, reconstruction may be postponed to a later stage. This is discussed carefully during treatment planning.

Changes in breast and nipple sensation are common after mastectomy because nerves are affected during tissue removal. The degree of sensation loss varies depending on the type of mastectomy performed. Your surgeon will explain what to expect based on the specific technique recommended in your case.

Breast Reconstruction

Restoring breast shape after cancer surgery

Breast reconstruction is a surgical procedure designed to restore the shape and contour of the breast following mastectomy or, in some cases, breast-conserving surgery. Reconstruction does not treat cancer itself but forms part of the recovery pathway for women who wish to rebuild breast volume and symmetry after oncological treatment.

Reconstruction can be performed immediately during the same operation as mastectomy or delayed until after additional treatments such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Several techniques are available, including implant-based reconstruction or reconstruction using the patient’s own tissue. The choice depends on medical factors, anatomy, previous treatments, and personal preferences, and is always discussed within a multidisciplinary care framework.

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Breast Reconstruction – Frequently Asked Questions

Breast reconstruction may be performed immediately at the time of mastectomy or delayed until cancer treatment is completed. The timing depends on tumour characteristics, planned therapies, overall health, and personal considerations. Both options are carefully evaluated during surgical planning.

Reconstruction can be performed using breast implants or using the patient’s own tissue (autologous reconstruction). Each method has advantages and limitations. The most appropriate technique is determined based on anatomy, prior treatments, and long-term expectations.

Reconstruction aims to restore breast shape and symmetry, but it cannot fully recreate the original breast tissue. Results vary depending on the technique used and individual healing. The goal is to achieve a balanced and natural contour that supports physical comfort and emotional recovery.

Minimally Invasive Techniques

Advanced surgical approaches designed to reduce tissue trauma

Minimally invasive techniques in breast cancer surgery aim to reduce surgical impact while maintaining strict oncological safety. These approaches use smaller incisions and refined surgical methods to limit tissue disruption, support faster recovery, and improve cosmetic outcomes when medically appropriate.

Not all breast cancer cases are suitable for minimally invasive techniques. Their use depends on tumour size, location, stage, and overall treatment strategy. Decisions are always based on oncological criteria first, with minimally invasive options considered when they meet the same safety standards as traditional approaches.

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Minimally Invasive Techniques – Frequently Asked Questions

Minimally invasive surgery refers to techniques that use smaller incisions and precise surgical methods to remove cancer while limiting trauma to surrounding tissue. The objective is to maintain oncological effectiveness while reducing surgical impact.

When indicated and properly selected, minimally invasive techniques follow the same oncological principles as standard procedures. Patient selection is essential, and these approaches are used only when they meet established safety criteria.

In many cases, smaller incisions and reduced tissue disruption can support faster recovery and less post-operative discomfort. However, recovery time still depends on the type of surgery performed, additional treatments required, and individual healing factors.

Meet Professor Alisher Kahharov

Alisher Kahharov is a European-level expert in breast health and surgery, combining aesthetic and oncological expertise.

With a calm, serious approach and the highest standards of safety, he offers premium, minimally invasive breast care focused on trust, precision, and patient well-being.

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