Breast Cancer Surgery
Breast cancer surgery at Melanie Seah Breast Specialist covers
breast-conserving surgery and mastectomy, chosen according to the
size and position of the cancer and what matters to the patient. Dr
Melanie Seah performs the operation and stays with the case through
follow-up.
- Breast conservation using oncoplastic techniques
- Mastectomy, including skin-sparing and nipple-sparing — with an endoscopic approach where suitable
- Axillary lymph node surgery, including sentinel lymph node biopsy and clearance
- Reconstruction planned in conjunction with a plastic surgeon
Breast Biopsy
A breast biopsy takes a tissue or cell sample from a lump or an area
seen on a scan so it can be examined under a microscope. It is the
only way to confirm what a finding actually is. Dr Melanie Seah
selects the method that suits the finding, and most biopsies are done
under imaging guidance with local anaesthetic.
- Ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy
- Fine needle aspiration for cysts
- Vacuum-assisted biopsy for calcifications and small lesions
- Assessment of abnormalities picked up on mammogram or ultrasound
Hookwire Localisation & Excision
Some breast findings show on a scan but cannot be felt. A fine wire is
placed under imaging guidance to mark exactly where the
abnormality sits, so Dr Melanie Seah removes the right area and no
more than necessary.
- Wire placed under mammogram or ultrasound guidance
- Excision of lumps and lesions that cannot be felt
- Specimen imaging to confirm the target has been removed
Ultrasound Breast Screening
Ultrasound breast screening uses sound waves rather than radiation
to image breast tissue. It is particularly useful for dense breasts,
where a mammogram can be harder to read, and for working out
whether a lump you can feel is solid or a cyst.
- Imaging for dense breast tissue
- Assessment of a lump found on examination or mammogram
- Guidance for core biopsy and cyst aspiration
Mammogram Screening
A mammogram is a low-dose breast X-ray that can pick up change
before a lump can be felt. Around 1 in 12 women in Singapore
develop breast cancer in their lifetime, according to the Singapore
Cancer Society, which is why regular screening is recommended from
your forties.
- Low-dose mammogram, with clinical breast examination alongside
- Review of mammogram-detected abnormalities
- Counselling and surveillance for women at higher risk, including known
BRCA mutation carriers
Breast Lump Removal
Breast lump removal is the surgical excision of a lump, whether it has
proved benign or needs fuller treatment. Not every lump has to come
out — Dr Melanie Seah advises on removal, treatment or simple
monitoring once the assessment is complete.
- Excision of benign breast lumps
- Breast cyst aspiration, and drainage of breast abscesses
- Accessory breast removal and gynaecomastia surgery
- Microdochectomy or total duct excision for nipple discharge
Breast Reconstruction
Breast reconstruction rebuilds the shape of the breast after cancer
surgery, using either an implant or the patient’s own tissue. Because
Melanie Seah Breast Specialist works with a plastic surgeon in
Singapore, reconstruction can be planned alongside the cancer
operation rather than arranged separately afterwards.
- Implant-based or own-tissue reconstruction
- Immediate reconstruction at the time of cancer surgery, or delayed
- Planned jointly with the plastic surgeon before surgery
Physiotherapy & Wound Management
Recovery after breast surgery is part of the treatment, not an afterthought. Physiotherapists at the Singapore clinic guide exercises that restore shoulder and arm movement, manage lymphoedema, and support wound healing under Dr Melanie Seah’s follow-up.
- Post-surgery exercises to restore shoulder and arm movement
- Lymphoedema (arm swelling) management
- Wound care after surgery, and for chronic wounds
