The Paoli-Calmettes Institute in Marseille has adopted a new surgical robot that allows scarless mastectomies, offering breast cancer patients a chance to preserve their physical appearance and improve quality of life. This advancement marks a significant change in how medical success is measured, with a greater focus now placed on patient well-being and body image, not just survival rates.
The Da Vinci Single Port robot, which was recently installed at the institute, is a major step forward in breast cancer treatment. The Paoli-Calmettes Institute is the first in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region and the fourth in France to use this technology. By enabling mastectomies with only a small, 3 to 4 cm incision under the arm, surgeons can avoid visible scars on the breast. Dr. Marie Bannier, a breast surgeon at the institute, explained that this approach helps patients feel less marked by their disease, making the surgery experience less traumatic and easier to accept.
Traditional mastectomy procedures often left patients with a flattened chest and noticeable scars, which could affect self-esteem and social interactions. The new robotic method allows for removal of the breast gland while keeping the skin and placing a prosthesis in the same operation. Patients can wake up with natural breast volume, reducing the psychological and social impacts often linked to breast cancer surgery.
Immediate breast reconstruction is becoming a new standard of care, with the Paoli-Calmettes Institute offering it to a higher percentage of patients than most of France. At the institute, the immediate reconstruction rate is 40%, compared to a national average of just 17%. Dr. Arthur Bertrand, a breast cancer surgeon, said the technology improves patient care by reducing the number of surgeries and helping women regain their sense of self more quickly.
Along with technical progress, there is a growing emphasis on clear communication between doctors and patients. The institute encourages shared decision-making, allowing patients to choose the treatment and reconstruction options that best suit them. This patient-centered approach helps ensure that breast reconstruction serves its main purpose—satisfying the patient’s needs and improving their quality of life. With over 2,000 breast cancer cases treated and 505 mastectomies performed in 2024, the Paoli-Calmettes Institute continues to show how innovative technology can benefit patients without raising treatment costs.
