Overview
Breast conserving surgery (BCS), also known as lumpectomy, wide local excision, or partial mastectomy is a surgical approach that removes the cancerous tumour and a margin of surrounding healthy tissue while preserving the majority of the breast. It is the preferred surgical option for eligible patients with early-stage breast cancer, offering equivalent long-term survival outcomes to mastectomy when combined with adjuvant radiation therapy. BCS allows women to retain their breast with minimal deformity, significantly benefiting body image, psychological wellbeing, and quality of life. Patient selection for BCS is guided by tumour size, location, breast size, and patient preference.
The Procedure
At ILS Hospitals, breast conserving surgery is performed by our dedicated breast surgical oncology team under general anaesthesia. Pre-operative planning includes detailed imaging and, in some cases, wire or radioactive seed localisation to precisely guide the excision of the tumour. An incision is placed in a cosmetically favourable position, and the tumour is excised with clear surgical margins. Intraoperative specimen radiography or frozen section analysis may be used to confirm adequate margin clearance. Concurrent sentinel lymph node biopsy or axillary dissection is performed to assess nodal status. Oncoplastic techniques are employed to reshape and reconstruct the breast tissue, minimising deformity and optimising cosmetic outcomes.
Recovery
BCS is typically performed as a day-care or short-stay procedure. Post-operative pain is mild and managed with oral analgesics. Patients are encouraged to resume light activity within a few days, with return to normal activities within 2 to 3 weeks. Adjuvant radiation therapy is routinely recommended following BCS to reduce the risk of local recurrence. Regular follow-up appointments and mammography are essential components of long-term surveillance. At ILS Hospitals, our comprehensive breast cancer programme ensures that every patient receives the highest standard of surgical care alongside holistic physical and emotional support throughout their recovery.
