Care may include lifestyle changes, medical treatment, specialist review or a procedure, depending on the diagnosis, associated conditions and individual goals. The options below are associated with this condition in the GAF Healthcare directory.
A lumpectomy, also known as breast-conserving surgery, is a procedure to remove a cancerous or abnormal lump from the breast along with a margin of healthy surrounding tissue, while preserving the rest of the breast.
Why it may be consideredIt is commonly performed for early-stage breast cancer or suspicious lesions and is often combined with sentinel lymph node evaluation and followed by radiation therapy. This approach allows patients to avoid full mastectomy while achieving effective cancer control with good cosmetic outcomes.
Key distinction: Most Common
Mastectomy is the surgical removal of one or both breasts, performed most commonly as a treatment for breast cancer or as a risk-reducing procedure in patients with high genetic risk (e.g., BRCA mutations).
Why it may be consideredDepending on the stage of disease and patient preference, it may be combined with lymph node evaluation and immediate or delayed breast reconstruction. India offers advanced oncoplastic and reconstructive expertise at a fraction of Western costs.
Key distinction: Most Common
Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy (SLNB) is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to determine whether breast cancer has spread to the lymph nodes under the arm.
Why it may be consideredA tracer (radioactive substance and/or blue dye) is injected to identify the 'sentinel' node(s) — the first lymph nodes cancer cells are likely to reach — which are then removed and examined by a pathologist. It helps avoid unnecessary removal of all axillary lymph nodes, reducing complications like lymphedema while accurately staging the cancer.
Key distinction: Gold Standard
Oncoplastic breast surgery combines oncological tumour removal with plastic surgery reshaping techniques to treat breast cancer while preserving the natural shape, size and symmetry of the breast.
Why it may be consideredIt is recommended for patients undergoing breast-conserving surgery (lumpectomy) or mastectomy who wish to minimise cosmetic deformity and avoid a second reconstructive procedure later. This approach improves psychological wellbeing and body image without compromising cancer clearance or oncological safety.
Key distinction: Most Popular
Modified Radical Mastectomy (MRM) is a surgical procedure that removes the entire breast tissue, the nipple-areola complex, and the axillary (underarm) lymph nodes, while preserving the chest wall muscles.
Why it may be consideredIt is commonly performed for invasive breast cancer when breast-conserving surgery is not suitable, or as per patient preference, and helps determine cancer staging through lymph node examination. The procedure is often combined with reconstructive options depending on patient suitability and preference.
Key distinction: Most Common
Breast reconstruction rebuilds the shape, volume, and appearance of a breast following mastectomy or lumpectomy for breast cancer, using implants, the patient's own tissue, or a combination of both.
Why it may be consideredIt can be performed immediately at the time of cancer surgery or delayed until after cancer treatment is completed, and helps restore body symmetry and psychological wellbeing. India offers advanced oncoplastic and microsurgical reconstruction techniques at a fraction of Western costs.
Key distinction: Most Popular
Breast Cancer Radiotherapy uses high-energy radiation beams to destroy remaining cancer cells after breast-conserving surgery or mastectomy, and to reduce the risk of local recurrence.
Why it may be consideredIt is a key part of multidisciplinary breast cancer treatment, often given after surgery and sometimes combined with chemotherapy or hormone therapy. Modern techniques allow precise targeting of the breast or chest wall while sparing the heart, lungs, and surrounding healthy tissue.
Key distinction: Most Common
The Deep Inspiration Breath Hold (DIBH) technique is a specialized radiation therapy method used mainly for left-sided breast cancer, in which the patient holds a deep breath during treatment to expand the chest and move the heart away from the radiation field.
Why it may be consideredThis significantly reduces radiation exposure to the heart and lungs while ensuring accurate, effective tumor targeting. It is performed as part of the overall radiotherapy planning and delivery process at advanced cancer centers.
Key distinction: Widely Available
Chemotherapy is a systemic cancer treatment that uses potent drugs to destroy or slow the growth of cancer cells, either as a standalone treatment or combined with surgery and radiation therapy.
Why it may be consideredIt is typically administered in cycles over several weeks to months, tailored to the cancer type, stage, and patient's overall health. GAF Healthcare connects international patients with leading Indian oncology centers offering world-class chemotherapy protocols at a fraction of Western costs.
Key distinction: Most Common
Immunotherapy uses drugs that help the patient's own immune system recognize and destroy cancer cells, and is used across many cancers including breast, lung, colorectal, gastric/esophageal, liver/pancreatic, ovarian/gynaecological, head & neck cancers, leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma.
Why it may be consideredIt is given as an infusion in cycles, either alone or combined with chemotherapy/targeted therapy, and India offers globally approved immunotherapy drugs and advanced options like CAR-T cell therapy at a fraction of Western costs. Treatment plans are individualized based on tumor type, biomarker status (e.g., PD-L1, MSI), and stage of disease.
Key distinction: Most Common
Targeted therapy uses drugs designed to specifically identify and attack cancer cells based on genetic mutations, proteins, or receptors, while sparing normal healthy cells.
Why it may be consideredIt is used across breast, lung, colorectal, gastric, liver, pancreatic, prostate, ovarian, head & neck cancers, leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma, often guided by biomarker or genomic testing. India offers internationally accredited cancer centres with access to the latest targeted agents at a fraction of Western costs.
Key distinction: Essential First Step
Hormone therapy uses medications or surgery to block or lower the effect of hormones that fuel certain cancers, most commonly hormone receptor-positive breast cancer and prostate cancer.
Why it may be consideredIt is used as a primary treatment, alongside surgery/radiation, or to reduce recurrence risk, and can be delivered as daily oral tablets, periodic injections, or surgical hormone ablation. GAF Healthcare connects patients with leading Indian oncologists offering evidence-based hormone therapy protocols with close monitoring and significant cost savings compared to Western countries.
Key distinction: Most Common
