Breast Cancer Treatment Advancements in Taiwan

Medical professionals in Taiwan are highlighting advanced surgical and therapeutic options for breast cancer patients to improve both clinical outcomes and quality of life.

At Chimei Hospital, surgeons are utilizing Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator (DIEP) flap surgery for breast reconstruction. This microsurgical technique uses skin and fat from the lower abdomen to reconstruct the breast while preserving the rectus abdominis muscle, reducing the risk of abdominal weakness and hernia compared to traditional methods. The procedure incorporates ICG fluorescence imaging and Doppler blood flow monitoring to ensure tissue viability.

For patients with triple-negative breast cancer, which is known for its high aggressiveness, new treatment protocols involving Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (ICI) combined with chemotherapy are showing promise. Clinical applications of this combination therapy can lead to pathological complete response (pCR) in some high-risk early-stage patients. In Taiwan, ICI treatments have been integrated into national health insurance coverage for eligible patients, helping to alleviate the economic burden of these advanced therapies.