R ARIVANANTHAM
CHENNAI, AUG 26
For a 33-year-old Chennai IT professional, the removal of two breast lumps from the same breast did not mean accepting two surgical scars. In a carefully tailored approach, doctors at MGM Cancer Institute used conventional open surgery for one fibroadenoma and Ultrasound-guided Vacuum Assisted Excision (VAE) for the other, removing the second lump through a tiny opening and avoiding a conventional surgical scar while preserving the breast’s natural contour.
- Two breast lumps, two surgical solutions: Doctors tailor treatment to the location and clinical requirements of each fibroadenoma.
- Tiny opening, no conventional scar: Ultrasound-guided VAE removes the centrally located lump without conventional open surgery.
- Vacuum technology changes the equation: Specialised probe uses suction and a cutting mechanism to excise the lump in small pieces.
- Natural breast contour remains the priority: Minimally invasive technique helps reduce visible scarring and significant breast distortion.
- Same-day discharge, quick return to routine: Patient was discharged the day of the procedure and resumed normal activities within days.
- Patient-centric cancer care goes beyond removal: MGM Cancer Institute combines clinical effectiveness with functional, aesthetic and quality-of-life considerations.
Different locations, different surgical strategies
MGM Cancer Institute’s Clinic B has successfully treated the woman for two benign breast masses in the same breast, adopting two different surgical techniques based on the location and clinical requirements of each lump.
The patient had noticed a breast lump that was changing shape and increasing in size and was also associated with pain. Medical evaluation revealed two separate fibroadenomas, one located close to the areolar region and the other in the middle portion of the breast.
Given their different locations, doctors determined that the two lumps required different approaches. The lump near the areola was removed through conventional open surgery because some overlying skin and a margin of normal tissue also needed to be removed. The resulting scar is discreet and is expected to become less visible over time.
The second, centrally located lump was removed through ultrasound-guided Vacuum Assisted Excision, a minimally invasive technique that uses vacuum suction and a specialised probe to remove the lesion through a small opening.
The approach avoided a second conventional incision, sutures and significant breast distortion. The patient was discharged on the same day and returned to her normal routine within a few days.
VAE offers aesthetic advantage for young women
Dr Kirti Katherine Kabeer, Consultant, Breast Oncology, who led the surgical team, said,
“Fibroadenoma is common among young women. Approximately 55-70% of them are diagnosed with breast fibroadenoma. The fibroadenoma does not become cancerous, but it can continue to grow and cause pain, discomfort or distortion of the breast. In this case, the patient had two lumps in the same breast and they required different approaches. One lump needed open surgery because some of the overlying skin and a margin of normal tissue had to be removed, while VAE was chosen for the other specifically to avoid a second scar. The procedures were successful. The patient was discharged the same day and, with a supportive bra during the post-procedure period, was able to return to her normal routine within a few days.”
Explaining the technique, she added,
“VAE has come as a boon for removing breast lumps in young women, particularly from an aesthetic perspective. In this procedure, we use ultrasound imaging to precisely locate the breast lump and insert a specialised probe through a small opening in the breast. The probe uses vacuum suction to draw the lump towards the device, while a cutting mechanism removes the tissue in small pieces through the same probe. We continue the process until the lump is completely excised. As there is no conventional surgical incision, stitches are usually not required, helping minimise visible scarring and preserve the natural appearance of the breast.”
Technology meets personalised treatment
Dr M. A. Raja, Director & Senior Consultant, Medical Oncology, MGM Cancer Institute, said,
“Our focus is not only on bringing advanced and innovative technologies to our patients, but on ensuring that these technologies address the concerns and needs that matter to them. This is particularly important when treating young women, for whom preserving their appearance and quality of life can be an important part of the treatment journey. Our specialists consider every appropriate treatment option for each patient and, as in this case, may combine conventional and minimally invasive approaches to achieve the best possible outcome. This patient-centric approach enables us to focus on both the clinical effectiveness of treatment and the patient’s functional, aesthetic and overall quality of life outcomes.”
The case highlights how advances in image-guided breast procedures are enabling surgeons to move beyond a one-size-fits-all approach. By selecting the technique according to the location, size and surgical requirements of an individual lump, doctors can balance complete removal with preservation of breast form.
For young women in particular, this combination of clinical precision and aesthetic consideration can be significant, as the psychological and quality-of-life impact of visible scarring or breast distortion can extend well beyond the procedure itself.
