Onkoplastic Surgery: New Hope For Breast Cancer Patients

Oncology surgeon Siloam Lippo Village dr. Alif R. Soeratman (Jehan/VOI)

TANGERANG - Cases of death due to cancer in Indonesia are relatively high. As a result, the government took a number of actions, to prevent many Indonesians from dying from cancer.

An oncology surgeon at Siloam Lippo Village Hospital, dr. Alif R. Soeratman revealed that one of the dangerous cancers is breast cancer.

Therefore, he asked the public to be able to recognize the symptoms of breast cancer early and not ignore these symptoms.

According to Alif, breast cancer cases are still one of the biggest challenges in women's health in Indonesia. Based on data from the 2020 Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN), breast cancer ranks first as the most cases of cancer in Indonesia, with more than 65,000 new cases every year.

"Many patients have just been diagnosed in advanced stages, so they require more complex surgical measures. One of the medical innovations that develop to treat breast cancer while maintaining the patient's quality of life is oncoplastic surgery," said Alif in his statement, Sunday, February 16.

He explained that breast cancer patients generally have two main surgical options, namely the mastektomy (which involves removing all breasts) and lumpektomy (which only removes some cancer) tissues.

But currently, there is an oncoplastic surgery approach, which offers a more balanced solution between treatment and aesthetics. Oncoplastic breast conservation surgery (Oncoplastic Breast-Conserving Surgery or OBCS) is a technique that combines the principles of oncology surgery and plastic surgery in one procedure.

"This technique allows patients to undergo tumor removal as well as get direct breast reconstruction, thereby reducing psychological trauma due to changes in body shape," he said.

Some studies show that this procedure not only provides better aesthetic results, but also has a medical success rate equivalent to conventional methods (massektomy and lumpektomy).

"The oncoplastic surgery approach allows patients to get optimal cancer treatment without having to lose confidence due to changes in breast shape. This is a big step in ensuring breast cancer patients are not only safe but can also live a life of better quality," he said.

Meanwhile, plastic surgeon dr. Sweety Pribadi also said the psychological impact of breast loss is often heavier than the medical aspect itself. However, with the right reconstruction technique, patients can recover not only physically but also emotionally.

In addition to allowing the removal of cancer tissues without sacrificing the shape of the breast so that the final results still look natural, the OBCS also offers various additional benefits, including:

Becoming an alternative mastektomy (the total breastlifting) for patients who need an appointment of more than 20 percent of the breast volume due to large tumors.

"Prevents unwanted changes in shape after the removal of cancer, especially if the tumor is in an area that plays an important role in breast aesthetics, such as behind a tornado, inside, or lower quadrant of the breast (these parts are prone to striking shape changes without post-operative reconstruction)," he said.

To provide solutions for women who previously had certain conditions on their breasts, such as ptosis (stretched air), macromassia (oversized breast size), or natural shape imbalance, in addition to cancer removal.

As a hospital that has been established since 1996, Siloam Lippo Village Hospital continues to provide high-quality health services with modern technology and experienced medical teams. This hospital has an advantage in oncology services, including:

The integrated multidisciplinary team consists of oncology surgeons, medical oncology, radiology, and plastic surgery to ensure comprehensive treatment.

State-of-the-art diagnostic facilities, including digital mamography, breast ultrasound, and MRI to detect breast cancer more accurately and early.

The minimal invasive surgical technique, which allows for faster recovery with more precision and minimal side effects.

Modern breast reconstruction services, which provide the best option for patients to stay comfortable with their bodies post-operative. The patient-based approach, with psychosocial support for breast cancer patients through educational and mentoring programs.