Page 39 - Essentia Vol 5 Issue 1

VOL V | ISSUE I | 5 AUGUST 2026 VOL V | ISSUE I | 5 AUGUST 2026
A BIANNUAL NEWSLETTER OF ASSAM CANCER CARE FOUNDATION A BIANNUAL NEWSLETTER OF ASSAM CANCER CARE FOUNDATION

Breast Cancer

Treatment Without

Removing the Breast

The Power of Precision Surgery

Dr Arpan Choudhury
Consultant, Oncosurgeon
State Cancer Institute, Guwahati

or many women diagnosed with breast On the day of surgery, the radiologist uses CT scan
cancer, one of the greatest fears is losing or ultrasound guidance to insert a fine localisation
Fthe breast during treatment. Advances wire into the area containing the clip. The wire
in cancer care have changed this reality. While acts as a roadmap, helping the surgeon remove
some patients still need complete removal of the the original tumour site while preserving as much
breast, or mastectomy, many can now be treated healthy breast tissue as possible. Immediately
while preserving the breast, with excellent cancer after surgery, the excised specimen is imaged
control and better cosmetic and psychological to confirm that the marker clip and wire have
outcomes. been removed. The tissue is then examined by
At Assam Cancer Care Foundation (ACCF), specialised pathologists to determine whether
advanced breast-conserving procedures are any residual cancer remains and to guide further
being performed using internationally accepted treatment if required.
protocols followed at leading cancer centres. One ADVANTAGES OF THIS TECHNIQUE
such technique is wire-guided breast conservation
surgery after chemotherapy. In many patients, • Higher accuracy in removing the tumour.
chemotherapy is given before surgery to shrink • Better chances of preserving the breast.
the tumour. Sometimes the tumour responds so • Smaller surgical scars with improved
well that it becomes difficult to feel or see during cosmetic appearance.
surgery. This is encouraging for the patient, but it • Reduced need for repeat surgeries due to
also makes precise surgical localisation essential. incomplete tumour removal.
Even when imaging or examination suggests that • Maintenance of excellent cancer treatment
the tumour has disappeared, surgery remains outcomes when combined with appropriate
necessary because microscopic cancer cells may chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
still be present.

The key lies in anticipation and meticulous planning.
Before chemotherapy begins, when the tumour is still clearly visible, an interventional
radiologist places a tiny metallic clip within the tumour under imaging guidance. This
simple step is crucial because it cannot be performed reliably once the tumour has
shrunk or disappeared after chemotherapy.

38 The best time to care for your health is now. 39