Breast Surgery

Overview

What Is Breast Surgery?

Breast surgery is a dedicated specialty that focuses solely on conditions of the breast. While breast surgeons are grounded in general surgery, they undertake significant additional training to become experts in everything from diagnosis and cancer care to complex reconstruction.

The care provided in breast surgery deals with both cancerous and benign concerns. The first key area is dedicated to treating cancer and involves reconstructive procedures, known as oncoplastic breast surgery. The second is surgery that’s performed for benign and non-cancerous conditions.

Delivering care that addresses not only the medical need but also being acutely sensitive to the profound personal and psychological impact breast conditions can have is the aim of treatment. The role of a breast surgeon is expansive. Performing operations takes up a majority of the role, but so does guiding patients through diagnosis, discussing all treatment avenues, surgical and non-surgical and providing long-term follow-up care.

Types of Breast Conditions

Conditions managed within this specialty are broadly categorised as benign or malignant. Common, benign conditions can be anything like painful cysts, recurrent breast infections and fibroadenomas which make up a majority of the issues faced by women. Fibroadenomas are solid, rubbery lumps that are almost always harmless but need removal if they start to cause symptoms or grow. We also provide treatment for gynaecomastia, a common condition where men develop excess breast tissue.

Cancer in all its forms is the primary focus on the malignant side. Early-stage, localised disease to more advanced cases are all managed and operated on. For patients, in particular those with a high genetic predisposition, risk-reducing surgery might be considered. Each condition, whether a simple cyst or a complex cancer, requires an approach that fits the diagnosis and the individual patient.

The most urgent signal for women would be the discovery of a new lump or thickening in the breast or armpit that feels different from the surrounding tissue. Any experiences with a change in the size of the breast, its shape and/or its contour would require specialist evaluation. This to watch out for would be skin changes like dimpling, puckering or redness that resembles an orange peel in texture.

Nipple changes are also key indicators like a newly inverted nipple, a rash that starts developing around it or any spontaneous discharge that is bloody or clear is not to be ignored as is unexplained pain in one area of the breast. Patients with a strong history of breast and ovarian cancer, should consult a breast surgeon as a pro-active step for a risk assessment, even if they present with no symptoms.

We start every diagnosis by listening to a patient’s health story, family history and overall concerns. A careful clinical breast examination is our next essential step. An X-ray of the breast tissue, known as a mammogram, is the first route for most women. An ultrasound is routinely used to characterise a specific lump found on exam or mammogram, particularly in younger women with denser breast tissue. A biopsy to obtain cells or a tiny tissue sample is usually the next step, if a suspicious area is identified through testing. For some complex cases, an MRI scan might be recommended.

Every single case is reviewed by a radiologist who read scans, a pathologist who analyses a biopsy and an oncologist who collaborates with breast surgeons. They discuss results and agree on one clear diagnosis and a unified plan to ensure nothing is missed and the path forward is built on a complete consensus.

  • Breast Cancer
  • Benign Breast Lumps
  • Breast Pain (Mastalgia)
  • Breast Asymmetry and Congenital Deformities.
  • Nipple Conditions
  • Gynaecomastia
  • Risk-Reducing Surgery

Patients will gain much more than just a surgical procedure when they choose NMC Hospital for breast surgery. They will gain a dedicated partner who will support them on their care journey. We believe in exploring and exhausting all appropriate non-surgical options first. However, our surgeons are skilled in the full range of techniques for when an operation is the best course.

We perform breast-conserving surgery known as a lumpectomy, wherever oncologically safe, where we carefully remove the tumour while preserving the natural shape of the breast. We carry out mastectomies for cases that require a full removal, offering skin-sparing and nipple-sparing techniques which will optimise future reconstruction outcomes.

Oncoplastic breast surgery is a key part of our practice. This combines cancer removal with immediate plastic surgery techniques to reshape the breast where, without compromising the cancer treatment, we aim for the best possible cosmetic result. A multidisciplinary team support our surgeons with oncologists, radiologists and specialist nurses working side by side to ensure every treatment plan is cohesive. Our integrated network provides support that’s consistent and compassionate, from the very first consultation across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah and Al Ain, through to recovery.

The journey through a breast health concern is one that’s deeply personal and vulnerable. This is the reason our team is built around our patient’s needs, from the start. Fellowship-trained specialists, our consultant breast surgeons also take up the role of principal guides, offering precise surgical skill paired with the empathy this journey demands. They lead a dedicated circle of care with breast care nurses, oncologists and plastic reconstructive surgeon on the team, so that every perspective is aligned with patient larger goals.

We know the weight of the decisions a patient faces, and our consultants go beyond simply presenting patients with options. They use personalised data like their images and pathology reports instead, to map out a clear path forward, turning complex medical data into understandable choices. Patients looking for a breast surgeon across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah and Al Ain will find a specialist dedicated to ensuring their voice is guiding every step.

FAQs

Find the Answer to Your Medical Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

A breast surgeon is more specialised as they’ve done extra training to treat medical conditions of the breast, primarily cancer and benign diseases. Breast surgeons diagnose, remove cancer and manage overall breast health while a plastic surgeon on the other hand focuses on cosmetic enhancements and performs augmentations on health breasts. After mastectomies, the two often collaborate closely especially in reconstruction.
Not necessarily. Many women are candidates for breast-conserving surgery which is where only the tumour and a small margin of tissue are removed. The tumour's size and location will guide which option is suitable for you and your surgeon will discuss all your options with you. This includes mastectomy and the possibilities for immediate reconstruction if needed.
Recovery varies with the procedure. Some patients may go home the same day with the ability and may be able to return to light activities quite quickly after a lumpectomy. Some temporary soreness and swelling may be experienced. A mastectomy typically requires a short hospital stay where recovery involves managing temporary drains and gradually regaining arm mobility. Regular follow-up appointments where support will be offered will be scheduled with the team. A full recovery and adjustment may take time.
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