Breast Cancer Treatment: When Is Surgery Most Recommended?

However, surgery is rarely used in isolation and is typically coordinated with other treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy and hormone or targeted therapy, which may be given before or after surgery to address cancer cells throughout the body. In most cases, the goal of surgery is to remove the known cancer, although in selected high-risk patients, it may also be recommended as a preventive measure to reduce the likelihood of developing breast cancer in the future.

What Factors Determine the Decision for Surgery?

The decision to recommend surgery for breast cancer is based on a combination of medical findings and individual considerations. Rather than following a single standard approach, doctors evaluate several key factors to determine whether surgery is appropriate and when it should be performed, including:

• Stage of the cancer: Whether the cancer is localised to the breast, has spread to nearby lymph nodes or involves other parts of the body.
• Tumour size and location: How large the tumour is and whether it can be removed while preserving healthy breast tissue.
• Type and biology of the cancer: Including hormone receptor status, HER2 status and how aggressive the cancer appears.
• Response to other treatments: Whether chemotherapy, hormone therapy or targeted therapy has been used to shrink the tumour before surgery.
• Overall health of the patient: Including other medical conditions that may affect surgical safety or recovery.
• Personal preferences and values: Such as views on breast conservation, reconstruction and tolerance for different treatment options.

When Is Surgery Recommended for Breast Cancer?

Surgery is recommended for breast cancer when it offers the best chance of controlling or removing the disease. This is often the case when the cancer is confined to the breast or nearby lymph nodes and can be safely removed. The decision also depends on factors such as the size and location of the tumour, how aggressive it is and whether it has responded to other treatments like chemotherapy or hormone therapy.

In some situations, surgery may be advised after other treatments have reduced the tumour while in others it may be the first step. Ultimately, the recommendation for surgery is made through careful assessment and shared decision-making. Balancing medical benefit with the patient’s overall health, preferences and treatment goals.

Meet Our Specialist

Dr Chong Chee Keong Breast, Colorectal and General Surgeon MBBS (Singapore), FRCS (Edinburgh), FRCS (Glasgow), FAMS (Singapore) Specialist Accreditation in Intensive Care Medicine Specialists Accreditation Board, Medical Director & Senior Consultant

Dr Chong Chee Keong is a Breast, Colorectal and General Surgeon with over 20 years of clinical experience. Dual-fellowship trained and highly accredited, he founded Maven Surgery with a commitment to elevating the standard of care for breast and colorectal cancers, the two most common cancers affecting women and men.

Dr Chong works closely with multidisciplinary teams of surgical, medical and radiation oncologists and remains actively involved in international cancer conferences to stay at the forefront of advancing techniques. He has a strong focus on minimally invasive surgery, recognising the importance of preserving self-image while maintaining treatment safety and effectiveness.