Precision Surgery. Personalised Care. Powerful Outcomes

The Department of Breast and Endocrine Surgery is a focused surgical subspecialty dedicated to the diagnosis, surgical management, and comprehensive care of diseases affecting the breast and the endocrine glands — primarily the thyroid, parathyroid, and adrenal glands. Combining surgical excellence with a deeply patient-centred approach, this specialty plays a pivotal role in the early detection and curative treatment of some of the most common and life-altering conditions seen in both women and men.

Surgeons in this department are trained to manage the full spectrum of breast and endocrine conditions — from benign disorders causing discomfort and hormonal imbalance, to complex cancers requiring oncologically precise and aesthetically sensitive surgical intervention. The specialty works in close collaboration with medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, endocrinologists, radiologists, pathologists, genetic counsellors, and reconstructive surgeons to ensure that every patient receives an integrated, evidence-based care plan tailored to their unique needs.

Breast Surgery: From Early Detection to Restoration

Breast disease is one of the most prevalent health concerns among women in India and globally. Breast cancer is now the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Indian women, making specialized surgical care more important than ever. However, the discipline extends far beyond cancer — it also encompasses a wide range of benign conditions that affect quality of life.

Conditions Managed:

Breast cancer — both early-stage and locally advanced — is the primary focus of this surgical unit. Other conditions include benign breast lumps (fibroadenomas), breast cysts, mastitis, breast abscesses, gynaecomastia (enlarged breast tissue in men), nipple discharge, fibrocystic breast disease, and high-risk lesions such as atypical ductal hyperplasia.

• Surgical Procedures in Breast Surgery:
• Breast Conservation Surgery (BCS) — Also known as lumpectomy or wide local excision, this procedure removes the tumour along with a margin of healthy tissue while preserving the breast. It is the preferred surgical approach for eligible early-stage breast cancers, offering outcomes equivalent to mastectomy while maintaining the patient's body image and self-confidence.
• Modified Radical Mastectomy (MRM) — In patients where breast conservation is not oncologically safe, a mastectomy — removal of the entire breast — is performed. Modern techniques ensure this is done with meticulous attention to patient wellbeing and future reconstruction options.
• Oncoplastic Breast Surgery — This innovative approach integrates oncological principles with plastic surgical techniques, allowing surgeons to remove cancer with adequate margins while simultaneously reshaping the remaining breast tissue for the best possible cosmetic result. It bridges the gap between cure and quality of life.
• Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy (SLNB) — A minimally invasive technique to accurately assess whether cancer has spread to the lymph nodes, avoiding the need for full axillary lymph node dissection in eligible patients. This dramatically reduces the risk of lymphoedema — swelling of the arm — a common and distressing complication of traditional axillary surgery.
• Breast Reconstruction — Following mastectomy, patients may opt for immediate or delayed breast reconstruction using implants, tissue expanders, or the patient's own tissue (autologous reconstruction). This is performed in coordination with plastic and reconstructive surgery, helping patients reclaim their sense of wholeness after cancer treatment.
• Robotic Breast Surgery — An emerging frontier in breast surgery, robotic-assisted techniques enable surgeons to perform procedures through smaller incisions with greater precision, particularly for nipple-sparing mastectomy and axillary dissection.
• Vacuum-Assisted Breast Biopsy (VABB) — A minimally invasive, image-guided technique for sampling breast lesions that are too small or impalpable, eliminating the need for open surgical biopsy in many cases.
• Genetic Counselling and BRCA Testing — For patients with a strong family history of breast or ovarian cancer, genetic testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations is offered. High-risk individuals may be counselled on risk-reducing surgical options, including prophylactic mastectomy, guided by an evidence-based, personalised approach.

Endocrine Surgery: Restoring Hormonal Balance Through Expert Surgery

The endocrine system is the body's master regulator — a network of glands that produce hormones controlling metabolism, growth, reproduction, mood, and virtually every physiological process. When endocrine glands become diseased, the hormonal imbalances that result can affect the entire body. Endocrine surgery addresses conditions requiring surgical correction of these glands, with the thyroid being the most commonly operated endocrine organ.

• Thyroid Surgery (Thyroidectomy) — The thyroid gland, located at the base of the neck, is subject to a range of disorders including thyroid nodules, goitre (enlargement), hyperthyroidism, and thyroid cancers. Depending on the extent of disease, surgery may involve removal of a portion of the thyroid (hemithyroidectomy) or the entire gland (total thyroidectomy). Modern thyroid surgery is performed with careful preservation of the recurrent laryngeal nerve — which controls the voice — and the parathyroid glands, minimising operative complications.
• Parathyroid Surgery (Parathyroidectomy) — The four tiny parathyroid glands regulate calcium levels in the blood. Overactivity of one or more glands (primary hyperparathyroidism) leads to elevated calcium, causing kidney stones, bone loss, fatigue, and other symptoms. Minimally invasive parathyroidectomy — guided by pre-operative imaging and intraoperative parathyroid hormone monitoring — allows for precise identification and removal of the overactive gland through a small incision.
• Adrenal Surgery (Adrenalectomy) — The adrenal glands, situated above the kidneys, produce hormones including adrenaline, cortisol, and aldosterone. Tumours of the adrenal gland — such as phaeochromocytoma, aldosteronoma, Cushing's syndrome-causing adenomas, and adrenocortical carcinoma — require surgical removal. Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is now the standard approach for most adrenal tumours, offering patients a minimally invasive option with faster recovery.
• Endocrine Tumours of the Pancreas — Rare tumours such as insulinomas and gastrinomas, which arise from hormone-secreting cells of the pancreas, are also managed within the scope of endocrine surgery.

A Multidisciplinary, Patient-First Approach

Every patient presenting to the Department of Breast and Endocrine Surgery is reviewed in dedicated multidisciplinary tumour boards, where surgeons collaborate with oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, and nuclear medicine specialists to formulate the most appropriate treatment strategy. This is complemented by psychological support, nutritional counselling, and physiotherapy — recognising that surgical outcomes are only one part of a patient's holistic recovery.

For breast cancer patients in particular, the journey extends beyond the operating room. The department is committed to supporting patients through neo-adjuvant and adjuvant therapies, survivorship programmes, and long-term surveillance, ensuring that life after treatment is as full and meaningful as possible.

Whether it is a woman navigating a new breast cancer diagnosis, a patient seeking relief from the debilitating effects of a thyroid disorder, or a high-risk individual exploring preventive options, the Department of Breast and Endocrine Surgery offers the expertise, technology, and compassion to guide every patient toward the best possible outcome.