Surgery remains the mainstay of treatment for breast cancer as well as for selected benign conditions. Although systemic therapies, such as endocrine treatment and chemotherapy drugs have evolved dramatically over the recent years, surgery to remove the cancerous area of the breast remains the standard of care of treatment for breast cancer. All patients with breast cancer will require some form of breast surgery.
About 7 out of 10 women with breast cancer can be treated with breast conservation surgery in the form of lumpectomy, and hence be able to preserve their breast. Mr Charalampoudis is a recognised expert in oncoplastic breast conservation and has been specifically trained to use plastic surgery approaches to enhance cosmesis alongside a sound oncological outcome.
About 3 out of 10 patients with breast cancer will have a large area with breast cancer which needs to be taken away by a mastectomy (total removal of the breast). In patients who will require a mastectomy, Mr Charalampoudis will discuss all the reconstructive options available, including implant-based and own-tissue reconstruction.
At the time of any breast surgery for breast cancer, Mr Charalampoudis will also check the lymph nodes in the armpit to find out whether the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes. This is achieved through sentinel node biopsy or a full axillary node clearance.