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Breast Cancer Surgery Options
The goal of breast cancer surgery is to remove the tumor itself and a portion of surrounding tissue, while conserving as much of the breast as possible.
Types of Breast Cancer Surgery?
The types of breast cancer surgery differ in the amount of tissue that is removed with the tumor, depending on the tumor's characteristics, whether it has spread (metastasized), and your personal feelings. The surgeon often removes some lymph nodes under the arm as part of the operation, so they can be tested for the presence of cancer cells. This will help your doctor plan your treatment after surgery.
The surgeon will discuss your options with you before surgery. A specific surgical procedure may be recommended for you based on the size, location, or type of breast cancer you have. Some of the procedures you may discuss with your doctor include:
- Lumpectomy
- Partial or Segmental Mastectomy or Quadrantectomy
- Total Mastectomy
- Modified Radical Mastectomy
- Radical Mastectomy
Lumpectomy for Breast Cancer
This is also referred to as breast-conserving therapy. The surgeon removes the cancerous area and a surrounding margin of normal tissue. A second incision may be made in order to remove the lymph nodes. This treatment aims to maintain a normal breast appearance when the surgery is over.
After the lumpectomy, a five- to eight-week course of radiation therapy is often used to treat the remaining breast tissue. The majority of women who have small, early-stage breast cancers are excellent candidates for this treatment approach.
Women who are not usually eligible for a lumpectomy include those who have already had radiation therapy to the affected breast, have two or more areas of cancer in the same breast that are too far apart to be removed through one incision, or have cancer that was not completely removed during the lumpectomy surgery.
Partial or Segmental Mastectomy or Quadrantectomy
During a partial or segmental mastectomy or quadrantectomy, the surgeon removes more breast tissue than with a lumpectomy. The cancerous area and a surrounding margin of normal tissue are removed, and radiation therapy is usually given after surgery for six to eight weeks.
Simple or Total Mastectomy
With a simple or total mastectomy, the entire breast is removed, but no lymph nodes are removed in this procedure. Simple mastectomy is most frequently used for further cancer prevention or when the cancer does not go to the lymph nodes.
Modified Radical Mastectomy
The surgeon removes all of the breast tissue along with the nipple in a modified radical mastectomy. Lymph nodes in the armpit are also removed. The chest muscles are left intact. For many patients, mastectomy is accompanied by either an immediate or delayed breast reconstruction. This can be done quite effectively using either breast implants or the patient's own tissue -- usually from the lower abdomen.
WebMD Medical Reference
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and a new study reveals why a high number of women with the disease still prefer to have the entire breast surgically removed instead of just the tumor. It's not always because doctors recommend it.
