Breast Surgery and Oncoplastic Breast Surgery

Our breast surgeons treat breast cancer and non-cancerous breast conditions in people of all ages. Each person's care is shaped by a team of surgeons, radiologists, oncologists and specialist nurses, not by one doctor alone. Where the diagnosis allows, we use breast-conserving and oncoplastic surgery to remove cancer and preserve the form and function of the breast.

What is breast surgery?

Breast surgery is the part of general surgery that operates on the breast, most often to remove breast cancer but also to treat conditions such as benign lumps, infections and enlarged breast tissue in men. Oncoplastic surgery combines the cancer removal with plastic-surgery techniques, so the breast keeps as natural a shape as possible. The breast surgeon operates and plans your follow-up, imaging diagnoses the problem, and breast oncology looks after medical treatments including chemotherapy and other adjuvant therapies that may be needed.

When should you see a breast surgeon?

Book an appointment if you notice:

• A new lump in a breast or the armpit
• A change in the size or shape of a breast
• Nipple discharge, especially if it is bloodstained
• A nipple that has turned inwards, or a rash around it
• Dimpled or puckered breast skin
• Breast pain that stays and is not linked to your period

Most breast changes turn out to be harmless, but having any new one checked means anything concerning is found early. You might also see a breast surgeon without symptoms if you have a strong family history of breast cancer, or if a screening mammogram has picked up an area that needs a closer look. Whether you need a referral first can depend on your insurance, so it's worth checking your coverage before you book.

What to expect

At your first appointment, the surgeon asks about the change you've noticed and your family history. They then examine both breasts and the armpits. If anything needs a closer look, you'll have breast imaging, with a biopsy to take a small tissue sample where it's needed. Your surgeon will discuss the results with you once they are available.

If treatment is needed, it will depend on what is found. A benign lump may be watched or removed. Breast cancer is usually treated with surgery in combination with other treatments, which may include chemotherapy, immunotherapy, endocrine therapy or radiotherapy. The type and sequence of treatment depend on the nature of the cancer and are coordinated with the oncology team. If surgery is planned, your surgeon will discuss options such as breast-conserving surgery or mastectomy, as well as whether reconstruction may be suitable, and agree the next steps with you.

Breast surgery at Mediclinic

Breast care at Mediclinic is built around dedicated breast units. You'll find them in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Every case is reviewed by the breast team against international guidelines before treatment starts, so surgery and any further care are planned together. Sometimes appointments also run as a single visit, with the examination, imaging, and biopsy done on the same day.

Which operation suits you depends on the diagnosis and on what matters to you. Where a mastectomy is needed, our surgeons offer skin- and nipple-sparing techniques with reconstruction during the same operation, which means many people wake up with a reconstructed breast. For a small tumour that is hard to feel, they can place a marker in the breast beforehand to guide its removal. We also provide psychological support during treatment, and all our Mediclinic Dubai units offer an all-female team.