Breast Conservative Surgery vs. Modified Radical Mastectomy in Early Breast Cancer: A Comparative Analysis of 126 Cases from 2022 to 2023

Objectives To compare the oncological outcomes, surgical complications, patient satisfaction, and quality of life (QoL) between Breast-Conserving Surgery (BCS) and Modified Radical Mastectomy (MRM) in the management of early-stage breast cancer. Material and Methods: This retrospective study, conducted at Bharath Cancer Hospital, Mysore, included 126 patients diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer from 2022 to 2023. The patients were divided into two groups: 68 underwent BCS and 58 underwent MRM. Data on patient demographics, tumor characteristics, surgical outcomes, adjuvant therapies, and patient satisfaction were collected. Statistical analysis was performed to compare local recurrence rates, disease-free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS), postoperative complications, and QoL between the two groups. Results: There was no significant difference in local recurrence rates, DFS, or OS between the BCS and MRM groups. However, BCS patients reported significantly higher cosmetic satisfaction and QoL scores (p < 0.001). The BCS group had fewer postoperative complications (7.4% vs. 24.1%, p = 0.008) but exhibited a higher reoperation rate (11.8% vs. 3.4%, p = 0.045). Conclusion: The findings suggest that BCS is a safe and effective alternative to MRM in early-stage breast cancer, offering comparable oncological outcomes with the added benefits of higher patient satisfaction and fewer complications. These results highlight the importance of individualized treatment planning, with a focus on patient preferences and QoL.