Chennai, 26th August, 2026: MGM Cancer Institute’s Clinic B has successfully treated a 33-year-old IT professional from Chennai for two benign breast masses in the same breast using two different surgical approaches, an open surgery for one and a minimally invasive Vacuum Assisted Excision (VAE) procedure for the other, while preserving the breast’s natural appearance. While the scar from the first surgery is discreet and is expected to become less visible with time, the VAE procedure avoided a conventional surgical incision, leaving no visible scar.
The patient had been experiencing a breast lump that was changing shape and increasing in size, accompanied by pain. The changes in the lump prompted her to seek medical evaluation and treatment.
Doctors at MGM Cancer Institute diagnosed her with breast fibroadenoma, a benign breast condition, and found two separate masses in the same breast. One of the masses was located near the areolar region, while the second was situated in the middle portion of the breast.
Considering the location of the two breast masses, each required a different treatment approach. One of the masses was removed through conventional open surgery, as the procedure required removal of some overlying skin along with a margin of normal tissue. The resulting scar, located near the areola, is discreet and is expected to become less visible with time.
The second mass, located in the middle portion of the breast, was removed using ultrasound-guided VAE that uses suction to remove certain breast lumps without conventional open surgery. The procedure helped avoid a second surgical scar, sutures and significant breast distortion.
In her comments, 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.”
On the minimally invasive surgery, she added that “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.”
Dr. M. A. Raja, director and 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.