Surgical removal remains the mainstay of treatment of a breast tumor. The decision to treat the patient with other modalities like chemotherapy and radiotherapy is taken on a case-to-case basis.

The patient with a breast tumor may need to undergo the following operations:

• Yes, depending on the amount of healthy breast glandular and ductal tissue that remains after tumor removal. Tissue transplanted from another area of the patients body only provides the “form”, not the “lactating function”. The “function” of the breast is not only to lactate, it has to “look” and “feel” like a breast as well!

• You will need to speak to a plastic surgeon experienced in breast reconstruction. Ask your physician or breast surgeon regarding the same.

• “Own” or “autologous” tissue has the inherent advantage of providing a natural result. Moreover, autologous tissue is able to tolerate radiation better than an implanted breast prosthesis. You may get a taut abdomen in the bargain. In certain situations, a prosthesis may be applicable. Ask your breast surgeon today.

• Yes, it is possible. In order to achieve symmetrical breasts modification surgeries may be required/mandated.

• Skin cancers are most commonly found to affect the face and the scalp. It can affect a person of any age or gender. Some varieties of skin cancer appear in early adulthood while others may appear later in life. Prolonged exposure to sunlight, arsenic in drinking water and exposure to Human papilloma virus are considered to be some of the common risk factors for development of skin cancer in India.

• There are a huge variety of skin cancers but thankfully, when detected early, these are curable with surgery. It is sometimes possible to biopsy and excise the cancer completely at the same time.

• The face and scalp are very important cosmetic areas for a person. Disfigurement from surgery is the primary concern for a person who has a suspicious nodule or mole on the face.
  
  Oncoplastic surgery and reconstructive surgery have now become so advanced that even large tumors maybe successfully removed completely without deforming the face or causing a bald patch on the scalp. The scars are placed in the natural skin creases such that they are practically imperceptible.

• If you notice a mole or a small ulcer anywhere in your body which is enlarging or not healing, you should take the opinion of an Oncoplastic surgeon. Specialized centers with facilities that can immediately test if the cancer has been completely excised in the Operating theater are essential for proper management of skin cancers.

• If you agree to a treatment of your skin cancer using medicines, radiation or laser without a biopsy, you will never know if the tumor can come back or not. Always take the opinion of a certified oncoplastic surgeon before you plan on treating your skin cancer.