34 year old lady came to the OPD with complaints of lump in the right breast which had noticed incidentally. The core biopsy of the breast showed that it was a breast cancer. Further work up showed that the cancer had not spread to the nodes or any other distant organs. However the mammogram showed there was extensive microcalicification in the region surrounding the breast tumour. These microcalifications represent the possibility of precancerous changes in the surrounding tissues.

Patient concerns:

Patient was a young woman who was working actively. Her main concern in the treatment was if it was possible to preserve her breast and only remove the lump.

Treatment challenges:

The microcalcifications that were observed on the mammogram next to the tumour in question meant there was a possibility of precancerous or early cancer there. Hence removing these areas of microcalifications was necessary along with the breast tumour. However such a removal would lead to a large defect which could not have been filled using local breast tissue. Hence the reconstruction of the defect required bringing in tissue from elsewhere.

Treatment offered:

Patient was advised to undergo breast conserving surgery i.e. excision of the entire upper outer quadrant to remove tumour and microcalcicfications with safe margins along with axiallry node dissection. The defect was planned to be filled with latissimus dorsi flap.

Results :