Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital has successfully used robotic-assisted surgery to treat a 42-year-old woman with breast cancer, preserving her appearance while significantly reducing surgical bleeding, according to a report by the Central News Agency (CNA).
The patient, surnamed Chen (陳), underwent a minimally invasive procedure after doctors determined that her breast skin and nipples showed no signs of cancer. Instead of a full mastectomy—an option recommended by another hospital—surgeons removed the tumor using a robotic arm and reconstructed part of her breast with silicone implants.
Kuo Wen-ling (郭玟伶), director of the hospital’s breast medical center, said the advanced technique addresses a major concern among many women diagnosed with breast cancer: the potential impact of surgery on their physical appearance. “For patients like Chen, robotic-assisted surgery allows us to remove tumors precisely while preserving as much healthy breast tissue as possible,” Kuo said.
The procedure requires only a small incision of about 3 to 5 centimeters, typically made on the side of the chest or under the armpit. Kuo noted that this approach avoids the blind spots associated with traditional or endoscopic surgery, enabling doctors to work more accurately and reduce trauma to surrounding tissue.
The robotic system is paired with high-resolution 3D imaging, allowing surgeons to operate in confined spaces and follow the body’s natural contours. This combination enhances precision and helps minimize bleeding and scarring, Kuo added.
Following the surgery, Chen is continuing her treatment with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and hormone therapy. Kuo emphasized that the robotic procedure had minimal physical impact on her and offered an effective alternative to more invasive surgical options.
Since 2018, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital has performed more than 300 robotic-assisted breast cancer surgeries. Kuo, who became certified in single-port robotic surgery in 2021, has personally carried out over 50 such procedures since 2022. The hospital reports a cancer recurrence rate of less than 2% among patients who have undergone the robotic-assisted approach.
The hospital’s achievements come amid rising breast cancer rates in Taiwan. According to the Health Promotion Administration, more than 10,000 women are newly diagnosed with breast cancer each year, and the disease was the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women last year.
Kuo also stressed the importance of early detection, calling breast X-rays the most effective screening tool for the disease. Taiwan’s health ministry currently offers women aged 40 to 74 a free breast cancer screening once every two years.
