Breast Cancer Disparities and Innovations: A Focus on Kosovo

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Surgical Oncology
• Radiology

Background:

• Mastectomy remains the primary surgical treatment for breast cancer globally due to limited screening capacity and outdated surgical techniques.
• Late detection and fear of treatment contribute to poor patient outcomes and limited breast conservation options.
• There is a critical need for advancements in breast cancer treatment to improve early detection and surgical outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the combined potential of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, pre-operative breast MRI, and surgical mapping.
• To identify strategies for increasing breast conservation rates in breast cancer treatment.
• To reduce patient fear associated with breast cancer treatment and improve overall outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Review of current breast cancer screening and surgical treatment modalities.
• Analysis of the role of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in downstaging tumors.
• Evaluation of pre-operative breast MRI for surgical planning and guidance.
• Assessment of surgical mapping techniques for precise tumor localization.

Main Results:

• Neoadjuvant chemotherapy can facilitate tumor shrinkage, making breast conservation more feasible.
• Pre-operative MRI enhances surgical planning, improving accuracy and reducing positive margins.
• Surgical mapping techniques aid in precise identification and removal of cancerous tissue.
• The combination of these methods shows promise for increasing breast conservation rates.

Conclusions:

• Integrating neoadjuvant chemotherapy, pre-operative breast MRI, and surgical mapping offers a powerful approach to enhance breast cancer treatment.
• These combined strategies can significantly increase the likelihood of breast-conserving surgery.
• Adoption of these advanced techniques can alleviate patient fear and lead to improved treatment outcomes.