Whether you’re newly diagnosed or seeking a second opinion Dr. Senthil Kumar and his team are here to guide you with advanced treatments and genuine care—every step of the way.
Breast Cancer
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- Breast Cancer
Breast Cancer
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- Breast Cancer
Comprehensive Care. Compassionate Support.
In India, breast cancer is the most common cancer in females. Though it typically occurs in females, it can also occur in males. It is very common in old age,but it can affect any age group. Only 5 to 10% of breast cancers, run in families and appropriate investigations should be done to look for signs of cancer in those families.
Breast cancer may not show symptoms in early stages. Common signs include:
- A new lump in the breast or underarm
- Change in breast size, shape, or appearance
- Nipple discharge (other than breast milk)
- Redness or flaky skin on the breast or nipple
- Nipple inversion or pain
- Swelling or thickening in part of the breast
Breast cancer is classified into stages based on tumor size and spread:
Stage 0:
Non-invasive (DCIS – Ductal Carcinoma in Situ)
Stage I–II:
Early-stage localized cancer
Stage III:
Locally advanced (spread to nearby lymph nodes)
Stage IV:
Metastatic (spread to distant organs)
- Family history of breast or ovarian cancer
- BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations
- Increasing age
- Hormonal replacement therapy
- Early menstruation or late menopause
- Lifestyle factors (alcohol, obesity, lack of physical activity)
- Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS)
- Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC)
- Invasive Lobular Carcinoma (ILC)
- Triple-negative Breast Cancer
- HER2-positive Breast Cancer
- Inflammatory Breast Cancer
- Paget’s Disease of the Nipple
- Old age
- Nulliparous
- Early puberty and late menopause
- Age of first child above 35 years
- Family history of breast cancer
- Painless lump in breast or armpit
- Skin irritation or dimpling
- Nipple retraction
- Redness, scaliness, or thickening of the nipple or breast skin
Nipple discharge
To decide the treatment, first we have to stage the disease
- Very early stage – tumor less than 2cm and no lymph nodes in armpit
- Early stage – tumor 2 to 5 cm and minimal disease in armpit nodes
- Advanced stage – tumor more than 5 cm and huge disease in armpit nodes
- Very advanced stage – tumor spread in areas other than breast like bones, liver, lungs, brain.
Evaluation
1.Bilateral Digital Mammogram
It helps to find out of size, character and extent of lump and also helps in identifying any lump in opposite breast. It is a must, when breast conservation surgery is contemplated.
2. Biopsy
Depending upon the lump one of the following techniques is used for biopsy
- Ultrasound guided needle biopsy
- Stereotactic needle biopsy
- Incision biopsy
- Excision biopsy
3.special marker studies like er(estrogen receptor), pr(progesterone receptor) and Her2 receptor. This will help in guiding chemotherapy and also tell about the aggressiveness of disease.
In early stages of disease there is only a minimal chances for the disease to spread beyond breast. But in advanced stages it can spread to any part of body, hence a PET CT scan or suitable staging investigations like CT scan of abdomen, chest and bone scan is done.
Treatment
If the disease is in early stage a direct surgery is done. If the disease is in advanced stage, chemotherapy is given first to shrink the size of cancer and then surgery is done(neoadjuvant therapy).
- surgery:
Depending on size of tumor, size of breast, mammogram findings, patient preference we can offer either breast conservation surgery or mastectomy. With advances in surgical, chemo radiation techniques the survival and local recurrence rates are almost the same.Depending on the spread of disease in armpit,we can do axillary node dissection or sentinel node biopsy(for clinically node negative patients). This latest technique helps in reducing arm swelling, less sensory deficit and increased range of movements.
In patients where we have to do a mastectomy , patients have the option of reconstruction of breasts.
Surgeries are performed by using open, laparoscopy and robotic techniques - Chemotherapy:
Depending on tumor size, nodal disease in armpit, special markers patient receives 6-8 cycles of chemotherapy, some times up to a year. There is a special device called chemo port which helps in better chemotherapy delivery and causes minimal pain to patient. - Radiotherapy:
Depending on tumor size, nodal disease and type of surgery radiation therapy is given. Conventional radiation therapy may take up to 45-50 days. But there are latest techniques which reduces the treatment duration significantly.
Followup
Often, once the treatment of cancer is completed, patients do not give importance for routine follow up. Follow up is of paramount importance, as it helps in identifying disease at an early stage. The follow up protocol for most of the cancers is
- Once in 3 months for first 2 years
- Once in 6 months between 2 and 5 years
- Once a year after 5 years.
Clinical examination, USG abdomen and CXR is done during every visit.
Comprehensive Care. Compassionate Support.
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting women, but with early detection and expert treatment, it is highly treatable. At Dr. Senthil Kumar’s Oncology Centre, we offer comprehensive breast cancer care—from diagnosis to recovery—with a focus on personalized treatment and advanced surgical solutions.
Dr. Senthil Kumar, a highly experienced surgical oncologist, provides a wide range of treatment options tailored to the patient’s stage, type, and overall health. Our approach balances clinical excellence with compassion, helping patients make informed decisions with confidence and clarity.
Breast cancer may not show symptoms in early stages. Common signs include:
- A new lump in the breast or underarm
- Change in breast size, shape, or appearance
- Nipple discharge (other than breast milk)
- Redness or flaky skin on the breast or nipple
- Nipple inversion or pain
- Swelling or thickening in part of the breast
Breast cancer is classified into stages based on tumor size and spread:
Stage 0:
Non-invasive (DCIS – Ductal Carcinoma in Situ)
Stage I–II:
Early-stage localized cancer
Stage III:
Locally advanced (spread to nearby lymph nodes)
Stage IV:
Metastatic (spread to distant organs)
- Family history of breast or ovarian cancer
- BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations
- Increasing age
- Hormonal replacement therapy
- Early menstruation or late menopause
- Lifestyle factors (alcohol, obesity, lack of physical activity)
- Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS)
- Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC)
- Invasive Lobular Carcinoma (ILC)
- Triple-negative Breast Cancer
- HER2-positive Breast Cancer
- Inflammatory Breast Cancer
- Paget’s Disease of the Nipple
- Old age
- Nulliparous
- Early puberty and late menopause
- Age of first child above 35 years
- Family history of breast cancer
- Painless lump in breast or armpit
- Skin irritation or dimpling
- Nipple retraction
- Redness, scaliness, or thickening of the nipple or breast skin
Nipple discharge
To decide the treatment, first we have to stage the disease
- Very early stage – tumor less than 2cm and no lymph nodes in armpit
- Early stage – tumor 2 to 5 cm and minimal disease in armpit nodes
- Advanced stage – tumor more than 5 cm and huge disease in armpit nodes
- Very advanced stage – tumor spread in areas other than breast like bones, liver, lungs, brain.
Diagnosis
Accurate diagnosis is key to planning the right treatment. Dr. Senthil Kumar follows a detailed diagnostic process, starting with a clinical breast examination, followed by imaging techniques such as mammography, breast ultrasound, or MRI as needed. If an abnormality is found, a biopsy—either FNAC, core needle, or excisional—is performed to confirm the presence of cancer and understand its nature.
Treatment Options
Treatment is customized based on the type, stage, and overall health condition of the patient. Surgical options include Breast Conservation Surgery (BCS), mastectomy with or without reconstruction, and lymph node surgery such as sentinel node biopsy or full axillary clearance. Depending on the diagnosis, patients may also undergo chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormonal therapy, or targeted therapy like HER2 inhibitors to ensure complete and effective cancer care.
Prevention & Early Detection
Regular self-breast examinations, clinical screenings, and mammograms after the age of 40 play a major role in early detection. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle through a balanced diet, regular physical activity, and limiting alcohol intake can reduce the risk. Genetic testing is also recommended for those with a strong family history. Timely treatment of benign breast conditions and regular monitoring help prevent complications and improve outcomes. Early detection saves lives—consult Dr. Senthil Kumar if you notice any changes or symptoms.