Breast and endocrine surgery is a specialized field focused on the treatment of diseases affecting the breast, thyroid, parathyroid, and adrenal glands.
Breast and endocrine surgery is a specialized field focused on the treatment of diseases affecting the breast, thyroid, parathyroid, and adrenal glands. This surgical specialty addresses both benign and malignant conditions.
Breast and endocrine surgery emphasizes personalized, comprehensive care that integrates advanced diagnostic and therapeutic options. Surgeons in this field work collaboratively across disciplines to guide patients through the surgical decision-making process.
Breast and endocrine surgery is a life-saving treatment for a range of conditions affecting the breast and endocrine glands. Some of the reasons why surgeons perform breast and endocrine surgery are summarized as follows:
Breast and endocrine surgery is a key approach for treating both benign and malignant diseases. After an evaluation of your overall health, your surgeon will create a suitable treatment plan for you. The treatment plan may include the surgery types summarized below.
Breast cancer is both a psychologically and physically challenging disease. The goal of breast cancer surgery is to remove cancer cells while minimizing the impact on the body and preserving quality of life. Some of the surgical techniques are summarized as follows:
Lumpectomy
A lumpectomy surgery involves the removal of the tumor along with a margin of surrounding healthy tissue. This breast-conserving surgery is often suitable for early-stage breast cancer (Stages I and II), where the tumor is small and localized. It allows for the preservation of most of the breast tissue, typically followed by radiation therapy to eliminate any remaining cancer cells.
Mastectomy
Mastectomy surgery entails the removal of one or both breasts, partially or entirely. This surgery type is considered for larger or multiple tumors or when cancer is found in several parts of the breast. Lastly, this option may be recommended at various stages of breast cancer, from early to more advanced stages.
Mastectomy is categorized into different categories according to the aim of the treatment:
Sentimental Lymph Node Biopsy
This procedure involves removing a limited number of the first lymph nodes (sentinel nodes) that drain the breast to check for cancer spread. It is commonly performed during surgery for early-stage breast cancer (Stages I and II) to determine if cancer has spread to the lymph nodes without needing to remove more nodes than necessary.
Axillary Lymph Node Dissection
In cases where cancer has been found in the sentinel lymph nodes or when there is clinical evidence of advanced disease, an axillary lymph node dissection might be performed. This involves removing many lymph nodes from the armpit area to prevent further spread. This endocrine therapy for breast cancer is typically considered for later stages of breast cancer (Stage II or III) when there is a significant concern about lymph node involvement.
Breast reconstruction is among the breast and endocrine surgery types offered to women undergoing lumpectomy or mastectomy due to breast cancer or other conditions. Breast reconstruction surgeries create opportunities for physical and emotional healing through the restoration of breast appearance.
With endocrine therapy breast cancer, the patient’s self-image, self-confidence, and overall quality of life can be restored. There are several reconstruction options that are shared below:
Implant-Based Reconstruction
Implant-based reconstruction of endocrine treatment for breast cancer involves the use of silicone or saline implants to recreate the breast mound. This method is often preferred for its shorter surgery and recovery times, and it can be performed immediately following a mastectomy or as a delayed procedure.
Autologous Tissue Reconstruction
Autologous tissue reconstruction, also known as flap surgery, utilizes the patient's own tissue from another part of the body, such as the abdomen, back, buttocks, or thigh, to form a new breast.
Combined Approaches
Hybrid reconstruction breast surgery combines both implant and autologous tissue techniques to reconstruct the breast. This breast and endocrine surgery approach is often used when a patient desires the natural feel of their own tissue but requires additional volume that can only be achieved with an implant.
Breast and endocrine surgery for benign breast conditions is a crucial part of breast health management. The surgery can address various non-cancerous issues that may affect your comfort, appearance, and overall well-being.
Excision of Benign Breast Lumps
This surgical procedure involves the removal of benign lumps, such as fibroadenomas or cysts, from the breast to alleviate discomfort and ensure an accurate diagnosis.
Reduction Mammoplasty
Breast mammoplasty surgery is a technique designed to reduce the size and weight of overly large breasts. This technique alleviates physical discomfort, such as back and neck pain, and improves the breast's aesthetic appearance and proportionality to the body.
Breast Lift
A breast lift, or mastopexy, is a procedure to raise and reshape sagging breasts, enhancing their appearance and restoring them to a more youthful position. This technique can be particularly beneficial following significant weight loss, pregnancy, or as a natural result of aging.
Endocrine surgery aims to treat disorders affecting the endocrine glands, including the thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal glands, and neuroendocrine systems. These procedures can manage a range of conditions, from benign growth to malignant tumors. Some of the surgical techniques in breast and endocrine surgery can be summarized as follows:
Thyroidectomy
A thyroidectomy is a surgical procedure to remove all or part of the thyroid gland. It is a common treatment for various thyroid conditions, such as Graves’ disease, thyroid cancer surgery, etc.
Thyroid Lobectomy (Partial Thyroidectomy)
This technique involves the removal of one lobe of the thyroid gland. It is typically indicated when a nodule, suspected to be cancerous, is confined to one lobe.
Total Thyroidectomy
This technique involves the removal of all thyroid nodules. It is often recommended for patients with thyroid cancer, particularly when it affects both lobes, and for those with large goiter-causing symptoms.
Endoscopic Thyroidectomy
It is a minimally invasive endocrine surgery where the thyroid is removed through small incisions using an endoscope. This approach is suitable for smaller nodules and in cases where cosmetic outcomes are a significant concern.
Parathyroidectomy
Parathyroidectomy is the removal of one or more of the parathyroid glands to treat hyperparathyroidism. Hyperparathyroidism is a condition characterized by the overproduction of parathyroid hormone, which can lead to elevated calcium levels in the blood and various symptoms. Minimally invasive parathyroidectomy targets the specific glands that are overactive, aiming to normalize calcium levels.
Adrenalectomy
Adrenalectomy is an adrenal cancer surgery involving the removal of one or both adrenal glands due to the presence of adrenal tumours (benign or malignant) or to treat disorders like Cushing's syndrome or pheochromocytoma.
Surgery for Neuroendocrine Tumors
Surgery for neuroendocrine tumors involves the removal of tumors arising from the neuroendocrine cells, which can occur in various organs. These cells can commonly be found in the pancreas. That is why this disorder is also known as pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours. These procedures aim to remove cancerous tissue and relieve symptoms caused by hormone overproduction.
Thyroid and parathyroid surgeries can be performed simultaneously, especially if conditions affect both glands. This approach allows for the treatment of diseases such as thyroid cancer that coincide with hyperparathyroidism, optimizes patient recovery time, and reduces the need for multiple surgical procedures.
Breast and endocrine therapy costs can vary based on the treatment duration, specific medications used, and the healthcare system of the country in question. If you are looking for high-quality and affordable hospital services, Turkey is a reputable destination. Our clinic in Turkey offers a range of medical treatments, including endocrine therapy for breast cancer, at generally lower costs than in many Western countries.
