A New Alternative for Breast Cancer Treatment with MDT Cancer
The First Step After Scanning and Diagnosing Cancer
After the patient is referred to a breast disease specialist for diagnosis using modern technology and it is confirmed to be “breast cancer” , the attending physician will present the diagnosis results at the MDT Cancer committee meeting. This team consists of medical professionals from various fields, including breast system specialists, diagnostic radiologists, radiation oncologists, pathologists, and medical oncologists specializing in cancer drug treatment. They collaborate closely to plan the most effective and valuable treatment for the patient.
Increased Treatment Options
In the past, breast cancer treatment required removing both breasts entirely! But with current technology, there are more surgical options. Doctors consider three main types of breast surgery when a tumor is present. The first is breast-conserving surgery, which is usually the first choice if it can be done safely because it preserves the breast shape. The second is a total mastectomy, used in cases where breast-conserving surgery is not possible. The last option is a total mastectomy combined with breast reconstruction surgery, used for cases where breast-conserving surgery is not possible and the patient desires a new breast.
Lymph Nodes: Another Dangerous Spread Point
Because cancer can spread to the lymph nodes in the armpit on the same side as the breast cancer, in many cases doctors plan treatment by surgically removing the armpit lymph nodes. However, lymph node dissection surgery can also affect patients, causing arm swelling, numbness, or chronic arm pain.
Currently, sentinel lymph node biopsy is used, where doctors remove the first lymph node at risk of cancer spread to check for cancer cells. If none are found, it means no spread has occurred, so lymph node dissection is unnecessary. But if cancer cells are found in the lymph nodes, doctors must remove all the lymph nodes.
