Breast Surgery
What are the Types of Breast Surgery?
There are several types of breast surgery that are used to remove breast cancer. It is important to know about each one so you can discuss multiple options with your doctor.
- Lumpectomy
- Simple Mastectomy
- Modified Radical Mastectomy
The goal of a lumpectomy is to just remove the breast cancer itself and to spare all other breast tissue. A lumpectomy can be done with or with out the use of a needle-localization.
If your doctor chooses for you to have a needle-localization, you may go to the same location where you had your mammograms performed prior to your surgery. The radiologist, with the use of a mammogram or ultrasound, will insert a small wire into the area that the surgeon will remove. Needle-guided localization surgeries are performed when the cancer is not felt as an obvious lump. By having a wire inserted in the area of interest, it helps the surgeon to be more precise in removing only the cancer.
In most lumpectomy cases, patients do not need a haspital stay. However, most patients will require further treatment options after their surgery.
In a simple mastectomy, the surgeon will remove all of the breast tissue as well as the nipple. This surgery is typically recommended when the if there are more than one cancers in a breast or it the cancer is larger in size. This surgical option typically required a hospital stay. Depending on the specifics of the cancer, further treatment may also be needed.
With this type of mastectomy, the surgeon will remove all breast tissue, the nipple, and some axillary lymph nodes. This surgery is usually recommended if there are multiple cancers is one breast or of there is suspicion of metastasis to the lymph system. This surgical option often requires a hospital stay. Other treatments may also be required.
Click here to learn more about Breast Cancer Treatment Options
Breast Surgery: Checking your Lymph Nodes
If your doctor feels necessary, he or she may choose to surgically evaluate your lymph nodes. A Lymph Node Dissection is when the surgeon removes multiple axillary lymph nodes. The nodes can then be evaluated to determine if there is any cancer in them.
Your doctor may choose for you to have Lymph Node Testing to ensure that the best and most accurate lymph nodes are sampled.
Breast Surgery: Reconstruction Options after a Mastectomy
There are several options of reconstruction for patients that choose to have a mastectomy. Not all women choose to have reconstruction, but there are options available if you are interested.
Click here to learn about Breast Reconstruction Options
From Breast Surgery back to Treatment Options
Return to Breast Cancer Stages
