Breast cancer surgery has moved well beyond simple tumour removal — today’s approach combines complete oncological clearance with careful planning around shape, symmetry, and appearance from the very outset. Whether breast conservation or mastectomy is the right path depends on tumour size, location, and biology, but in either case, reconstructive and oncoplastic techniques are considered as part of the same surgical plan, not an afterthought.

Treatment begins with detailed imaging and biopsy to confirm diagnosis, tumour size, and extent, alongside assessment of lymph node involvement. Where breast conservation is appropriate, oncoplastic techniques reshape the breast at the time of tumour removal, maintaining natural contour. Where mastectomy is needed, skin-sparing or nipple-sparing approaches are used wherever oncologically safe, paired with immediate reconstruction using implants or the patient’s own tissue, restoring breast form in the same operation. Sentinel lymph node biopsy, often guided by ICG fluorescence mapping, provides accurate axillary staging while minimising the extent of lymph node removal.