How Can A Benign Tumor In The Breast Be Treated?

Posted on Wed, 25 Jan 2017

Question: My aunt has found to have some lump in her breast in mammography and some part of it is given for biopsy for further investigation. Doctor told that no matter whether it is Benign or Malignant, she has to under go the surgery.

10 years back she had a similar lump formation in another breast and it was Benign which was later operated and removed. She has also undergone Hysterectomy 5 years back for fibroid.

My questions are:

1. Since she had couple Benign tumors(breast and uterus) removed already, can we expect even this to be the same Benign tumor?

2. Is the surgery absolutely needed if in case it is Benign formation?

3. If it is found to be Malignant, is it completely curable?

4. Doctor with which specialist has to perform this operation?

Additional info:

1. She has undergone mammography couple of years back and it was a normal one.

2. She noticed the tumor in her breast may be 2 to 3 weeks back.

3. She was complaining heating pain in her chest 3 to 4 months back.

Your advice will be very helpful and thanks in advance. Unfortunately, I don't have her mammography report with me right now to share it with you.

Answered by Dr. Deepak Sundriyal (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Hello dear. In benign case, surgery is not required.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear. I have gone through the details. So with a past history of benign lumps, it is quite possible that, this time also it turns out to be benign.
Surgery us not required in a benign lump and it can be left as such.
Even if it is malignant and localised to breast, it can be cured.
If it is a. Malignant lump, then ideally a cancer surgeon must perform the surgery.
Hope you understand now.
Thanks and regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Deepak Sundriyal (10 hours later)

Thank you very much for your answer. She is presently treated by a General urgeon. Can this operation be done by General Surgeon as well? XXXX

Answered by Dr. Deepak Sundriyal (2 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Hello dear. Strictly no.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear. Cancer has to be dealt by a cancer surgeon and nobody else. Fullstop.
Thanks and regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy

Follow up: Dr. Deepak Sundriyal (10 minutes later)

Thank you for your quick response. What if it is found to be Benign tumor? We should still consult a onco surgeon? Please suggest.

Answered by Dr. Deepak Sundriyal (2 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Hello dear. Then it can be left as such.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear. It all depends on report. Some of them can be left as such while some still require surgery.
Share the details once report is available.
Thanks and regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy

Follow up: Dr. Deepak Sundriyal (23 hours later)

I have attached the Mammogram report and with respect to BIRADS score it does not look good to me. Also, report says that the lump is found in both the breast.

Please let me know your opinion.

We got the biopsy result today which says it is suspecious for malignent.

Can there still be 50:50 chance of it being benign?

We have anyways spoken to the oncoloy surgeon and scheduled an appointment tomorrow.

Please give your feedback.

Answered by Dr. Deepak Sundriyal (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Hello dear. A biopsy is needed first to confirm the diagnosis

Detailed Answer:
Hello. The right breast lesion is birads 5 and is malignant for sure. Biopsy has to be done for confirmation. Left is birads 3 and may be malignant. Again a biopsy is indicated. Once malignancy is proven , ER, PR, HER-2 marker should be done on biopsy to determine further treatment. Surgery must be done by a cancer surgeon.
Thanks and regards

Brief Answer:
Hello. It will be positive

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear. Suspicious means there is something abnormal. I dont think it can be benign. Moreover mammogram also supports a malignant lesion.
Thanks and regards

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D