Breast Conserving Surgery is a surgical procedure to treat breast cancer. The spelling of this word can be explained using IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription. The word 'breast' is pronounced as /brɛst/ while 'conserving' is pronounced as /kənˈsɜːvɪŋ/. The word 'surgery' is pronounced as /ˈsɜːrdʒəri/. Therefore, the complete pronunciation of Breast Conserving Surgery is /brɛst kənˈsɜːvɪŋ ˈsɜːrdʒəri/. This surgery involves removing the cancerous lump from the breast, while conserving as much of the healthy breast tissue as possible, to spare the breast as much as possible.
Breast conserving surgery, also known as breast-conserving therapy or breast conservation surgery, is a medical procedure performed to remove cancerous tissue from the breast while preserving as much of the breast as possible. It is primarily used in the treatment of early-stage breast cancer, where the tumor is relatively small and has not spread to other parts of the body.
During breast conserving surgery, a surgeon removes the tumor along with a margin of healthy tissue surrounding it. This is done to ensure that all cancer cells are excised and reduce the risk of cancer recurrence. The surgeon aims to maintain the natural shape and appearance of the breast by removing only the necessary amount of tissue.
The procedure typically involves a lumpectomy, in which a small incision is made in the breast to remove the tumor and surrounding tissue. Depending on the individual case, additional treatments such as radiation therapy may be advised after breast conserving surgery to target any remaining cancer cells.
Breast conserving surgery is considered an alternative to mastectomy, which involves the complete removal of the breast. It offers several advantages, including the preservation of breast structure, maintenance of body image, and avoidance of more extensive surgery. It is crucial for the patient to consult an oncologist or breast surgeon to determine the most suitable treatment approach based on their specific diagnosis and medical history.