Surgical Indications for Breast-Conserving Surgery in Breast Cancer
Sep 10, 2020
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Bu Qingao
Introduction
1. A single lesion or lesions confined to the same quadrant;
2. Absence of extensive malignant calcifications—for example, although a single lesion is present, widespread granular changes in the surrounding glandular tissue render breast-conserving surgery unsuitable;
3. The tumor must not be excessively large;
4. Breast-conserving surgery is not recommended if there are multiple lymph node metastases or other contraindications—such as patient-specific radiotherapy contraindications.
Regarding which breast cancer patients are suitable for breast-conserving surgery, the indications for breast-conserving surgery in breast cancer are as follows:
First, the tumor must be a single lesion or located within the same quadrant of the breast.
Second, there must be no extensive malignant calcifications. For example, even if only a single lesion is present, widespread ductal or parenchymal changes surrounding the lesion render the patient unsuitable for breast-conserving surgery.
Third, the tumor must not be excessively large. Because Asian women generally have smaller breasts, tumors exceeding 3–4 cm in diameter may necessitate removal of a disproportionately large volume of glandular tissue, potentially compromising both oncologic outcomes and cosmetic results. Therefore, such cases are unsuitable for breast-conserving surgery.
Fourth, breast-conserving surgery is not recommended for patients with multiple lymph node metastases or other contraindications to radiotherapy (e.g., preexisting conditions that prohibit radiation treatment), since adjuvant radiotherapy is routinely required following breast-conserving surgery.
