The Breast Cancer Conserving Therapy Program
About the BCT Pathway
Breast cancer forms in the tissues of the breast when an abnormal group of cells
grow uncontrollably and divide beyond the normal limits. As these cells continue
to grow, they invade and destroy adjacent tissue and occasionally spread to
other areas of the body via lymph or blood.
According to registration data, breast cancer is the most common type of cancer
diagnosed at Wattanosoth Hospital at Bangkok Hospital Medical Center and is the
second most common form of cancer among women in Thailand. While the number of
breast cancer cases is increasing every year, approximately 30% of early stage
patients can experience better outcomes and an improved quality of life if they
receive appropriate breast conserving therapy.
Breast conservation surgery, in which the breast tumor and a margin of the
surrounding normal tissue is removed, is one of the treatment options available
to early stage breast cancer patients. Breast conservation therapy provides
women with the same cure rate they would have with a mastectomy, but the
procedure leaves the breast intact, with an appearance and texture as close as
possible to the way it was prior to treatment. Patients who undergo breast
conservation surgery need to have radiation therapy to eliminate any microscopic
cancer cells in the remaining breast tissue, and may also require chemotherapy
or antihormonal therapy.
Wattanosoth Hospital’s specialized team of surgeons, radiologists, medical
oncologists, out-patient and in-patient nurses, dietitians and physiotherapists
work with our team of care-givers to educate breast cancer patients on the
treatment procedure as well as self-care. The healthcare team also monitors each
patient’s treatment and provides the support necessary to assure the best
outcome and quality of life.
Inclusion criteriaa
- The patient is in the early stages of breast cancer (stage I-stage IIB).
- The patient is receiving breast conserving surgery at the Breast Center
at Wattanosoth Hospital.
- The patient will continue to receive radiation therapy, chemotherapy or
antihormonal therapy at Wattanosoth Hospital Medical Center.
- The patient is under the age of 70.
Other detailed criteria are decided by our team of physicians.
Program procedure
- Inquiries are made into the patient’s history to learn when an
abnormality of the breast was first detected, followed by a physical
examination and consultation with the physician about treatment options.
- If the physician finds any abnormality or suspicious symptoms, a digital
mammogram and/or ultrasound is arranged for the patient.
- If the digital mammogram provides evidence of cancer, the physician
requests pathology results from:
a. Excision
b. Core needle biopsy under ultrasound/digital mammogram or stereotactic
biopsy
c. Fine needle aspiration (FNA)
Pathology results generally take 3-7 days.
- If the tests reveal early stage breast cancer, the medical team makes
its recommendations on treatment options. If the patient decides to have
breast conserving surgery, she receives comprehensive information on the
nature of the disease, the surgery, and after-care and self care such as
proper exercise, prior to admission.
- Additional laboratory and x-ray examinations are conducted to monitor
heart function in accordance with the schedule ordered by the physician.
- From admission to discharge, the team of care-givers supports and
educates the patient.
- When the surgical wound begins to heal, the physician will consult a
radiologist or medical oncologist to formulate a treatment plan, and provide
the patient with a follow-up consultation schedule.
Service Counter: The Breast Center at Wattanosoth Hospital
Hours of operation: Mon - Fri 9:00
am - 7:00 pm / Sat - Sun 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Please call the Contact Center 24 hours a day for emergencies.
For more information please call:
The Breast Center: (+66) 2310-3016
Or the Breast Center Nurse Coordinator: (+66) 8 9827-2262
Or the 24-hour Contact Center:
(+66) 2310-3344
Email: info@bangkokhospital.com