Locally advanced breast cancer means that the breast cancer is quite large in size and has spread to the adjoining lymph nodes, muscles or skin. It has however not spread to the other sites in our body such as the lungs, liver or the brain. This is the most common presentation of women in India.
With modern treatment options many patients do well and survive for a long period of time.
Patients with LABC are diagnosed the same way as any other breast cancer is diagnosed. After clinical examination,the breast cancer is diagnosed by a Tru-cut biopsy. If there is an enlarged lymph node involved FNAC of the involved lymph node is then done. To know the extent of spread, a mammogram is done for the opposite breast, CT chest is done for the chest, Ultrasound abdomen is done for the abdomen and if necessary CT brain is done to know the extent of spread to the brain.
To contain the spread of the tumour and to make it smaller, patients with LABC are treated with chemotherapy. The medical oncologist decides upon the chemotherapy regimen that you need to take and the number of cycles depending upon the biopsy report and the general condition of the patient. This is called neoadjuvant chemotherapy wherein the chemotherapy is done before the surgery. After finishing chemotherapy, surgery is done to remove the breast cancer and reconstruction can be done in the same operation as that of the removal of the breast. The patient would then need radiotherapy after the removal of the cancer. Depending upon the presence of the endocrine receptors, hormone therapy is started after completion of radiotherapy.
Surgery for LABC is divided into
The surgeon will examine the patient and will discuss with the patient regarding the correct procedure to be done for the patient.
After neoadjuvant chemotherapy if the size of the tumour has reduced considerably and if the breast also does not have any other lesions such as DCIS or other tumours, then the breast lump alone can be removed with a small margin of normal tissue. The patient would definitely need radiotherapy after this procedure.
When the lump is large and when there are multifocal tumours elsewhere in the same breast, it is better to undergo removal of the breast entirely. After removal of the breast, it is recommended that women prefer to undergo reconstruction of the breast at the same time. Many women may not want breast reconstruction and they can opt to get it done later if they want.
Sentinel lymph node is the first node that drains the tumour in the axilla. We inject the dye near the nipple and look for the first lymph node that it drains. We send this sentinel lymph node for biopsy and look out for the presence of any spread of tumour. If there is any infiltration of the lymph node by the tumour, then the patient would need a full axillary dissection.
In this operation most of the lymph nodes in the axilla are removed.
We at Ganga Hospital will be happy to answer any doubts that you may have regarding treatment for breast cancer, breast reconstruction or for cosmetic surgery for the breast. Please enter your mobile number and your email ID so that we can reply back to you. You can scan and attach your reports or photos which would enable us to make a decision. Alternatively you can whats app your doubts to the Ganga Breast Care Unit number +91 9952617171. The corresponding doctor would respond to you within 24 hours
