In a groundbreaking advancement in breast cancer treatment, a Mumbai hospital has successfully performed a pioneering Endoscopic Skin and Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy (E-NSM).
The procedure was immediately followed by implant-based reconstruction using TiLoop mesh. Called the first-of-its-kind “scarless” mastectomy, it was conducted on a 27-year-old woman, ensuring both oncological safety and an exceptional scar-minimised outcome.
When the patient first arrived at Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre in Mumbai, she had a sizeable lump measuring around 4–5 cm in the left breast. The medical team began treatment with chemotherapy to shrink the lump.
During this phase, genetic testing revealed she was BRACA gene positive, significantly increasing long-term cancer risk. Given this development, she was recommended an advanced surgical approach.
Conventional mastectomies usually involve a 10–12 cm incision across the breast, often leaving visible scars and impacting body image. Given the patient’s age and personal concerns, Dr Sandip M Bipte suggested an endoscopic mastectomy with immediate reconstruction as the best approach, along with the help of Dr Sadashiv Choudhary and the nursing team.
This technique uses a small 3–4 cm incision discreetly placed on the lateral chest wall, outside the breast mound, ensuring better sensory preservation and an enhanced cosmetic result without compromising cancer clearance.
Dr Bipte, Oncoplastic and Robotic Breast Surgeon at the hospital, said, “For young women diagnosed with breast cancer, the emotional toll of surgery can be just as significant as the physical. Our patient was extremely concerned about the visible scar and body image after surgery. After evaluation, we suggested endoscopic skin- and nipple-sparing mastectomy. This advanced minimally invasive surgical procedure ensures both oncological safety and aesthetic integrity, helping restore their confidence, self-image, and quality of life. I’ve seen first-hand how transformative it can be.”
The procedure was completed without complications, resulting in minimal post-operative discomfort and a swift recovery. The patient was discharged just one day after surgery.
Speaking about the case Dr Milind Khadke, chief medical officer said “The young patient’s swift recovery highlights the procedure’s safety, precision, and promise for better outcomes in breast cancer treatment.”
Expressing her deep satisfaction, the patient said, “Choosing surgery was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make, but I felt completely supported every step of the way. The care I received went beyond just medical; it gave me emotional strength and confidence I didn’t know I had. Today, I look in the mirror and feel whole, not just healed. That means more to me than I can express.”
