[Minimally invasive surgery for breast cancer]

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Surgical Oncology
• Minimally Invasive Surgery

Context:

• Breast conservation surgery is a standard minimally invasive approach for breast cancer in Japan.
• Emerging techniques include sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB), day surgery, and endoscopy-assisted surgery.
• SLNB aids in precise lymph node staging, enabling tailored treatment for early-stage breast cancer.

Purpose:

• To introduce and evaluate advanced minimally invasive surgical techniques for breast cancer treatment.
• To highlight the benefits of SLNB, day surgery, and endoscopy-assisted surgery in improving patient care.
• To demonstrate the feasibility of performing lymph node dissection and reconstruction via endoscopy.

Summary:

• Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) using dye or isotope injection allows accurate identification of metastatic lymph nodes.
• Node-negative T1N0 breast cancer patients can avoid complete lymph node dissection when SLN biopsy is negative.
• Endoscopy-assisted surgery enables gland removal and axillary dissection through a small incision, with options for immediate reconstruction.

Impact:

• These minimally invasive approaches reduce patient morbidity and improve the quality of life post-treatment.
• SLNB facilitates accurate staging and avoids unnecessary procedures for node-negative patients.
• Endoscopic techniques offer oncological safety with improved cosmesis and faster recovery.