Mastectomy Surgery in India: Comprehensive Overview
Mastectomy Surgery, doctors perform mastectomies to treat or prevent breast cancer by removing the entire breast tissue. Various forms of mastectomy include total, partial, and prophylactic. Individuals with early-stage breast cancer may opt for a mastectomy. During a partial mastectomy, surgeons remove the breast tissue containing the tumor or abnormal cells. A complete mastectomy involves removing the breast entirely. Breast-conserving surgery, known as a lumpectomy, involves removing only the breast tumor. Sometimes, doctors combine mastectomy with radiation therapy.
What Does a Mastectomy Entail?
Surgeons perform mastectomies to remove one or both breasts, either entirely or partially. This procedure is typically recommended for those with breast cancer or individuals at high risk of developing breast cancer. Men can also undergo this surgery for breast reduction, which removes breast cancer tissue. Mastectomy focuses on a specific area of the tumor, unlike systemic treatments like chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and immunotherapy.
Types of Mastectomy
Complete Mastectomy: Also known as a simple mastectomy, this procedure involves removing the entire breast tissue while leaving the auxiliary contents unaffected. Occasionally, surgeons remove sentinel lymph nodes, the first auxiliary lymph nodes, if they expect metastasizing cancer cells to leak into them.
Modified Radical Mastectomy: This procedure involves removing all the breast tissue along with the lymph nodes and adipose tissue.
Radical Mastectomy: Also known as Halsted mastectomy, this procedure removes the auxiliary lymph nodes, the entire breast tissue, and the pectoralis muscles (both major and minor) behind the breast. Surgeons typically perform this when malignancies affect the pectoralis major muscle or when breast cancer returns to the chest wall muscles.
Subcutaneous Mastectomy: Also known as nipple-sparing mastectomy, this procedure preserves the nipple-areola complex while removing the breast tissue. Initially, surgeons used this technique only for preventive measures or treating benign disorders. Nowadays, they also consider it for tumors that are not subareolar.
Partial Mastectomy: This specific type of mastectomy involves removing only the cancerous region of the breast and some surrounding healthy tissue. Surgeons need to remove more breast tissue with a partial mastectomy compared to a lumpectomy.
Cost of Mastectomy in India
The cost of a mastectomy in India varies based on several factors, including the hospital’s location and accreditations, the surgeon’s qualifications, the type of room, the length of hospital stay, and the need for adjuvant therapy. Despite these variables, India is recognized for offering affordable, high-quality healthcare. Patients traveling to India for a mastectomy can expect top-notch medical care, advanced medical equipment, and excellent healthcare packages at a fraction of the cost compared to the United States or other developed countries.
Conclusion
Mastectomy is a crucial surgical procedure for treating and preventing breast cancer. In India, this surgery is performed with high success rates and at affordable prices. Understanding the different types of mastectomy and their indications can help patients make informed decisions about their treatment options. By choosing India for their mastectomy, patients can access world-class medical care at a significantly lower cost, ensuring comprehensive treatment and care.