Surgeries
Operations used to treat breast cancer include:
- Removing the breast cancer (lumpectomy). During lumpectomy, the surgeon removes the tumor and a small margin of surrounding healthy tissue. Lumpectomy is typically reserved for smaller tumors that are easily separated from the surrounding tissue.
- Removing the entire breast (mastectomy). Mastectomy is surgery to remove all of your breast tissue. Mastectomy can be simple, meaning the surgeon removes all of the breast tissue — the lobules, ducts, fatty tissue and skin, including the nipple and areola. Or mastectomy can be radical, meaning the underlying muscle of the chest wall is removed along with surrounding lymph nodes in the armpit.
- Removing one lymph node (sentinel node biopsy). Breast cancer that spreads to the lymph nodes may spread to other areas of the body. Your surgeon determines which lymph node near your breast tumor receives the lymph drainage from your cancer. This lymph node is removed and tested for breast cancer cells. If no cancer is found, the chance of finding cancer in any of the remaining nodes is small and no other nodes need to be removed.
- Removing several lymph nodes (axillary lymph node dissection). If cancer is found in the sentinel node, then your surgeon removes additional lymph nodes in your armpit. Knowing if cancer has spread to the lymph nodes helps determine the best course of treatment, including whether you’ll need chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
Complications of breast cancer surgery depend on the procedures you choose. Surgery carries a risk of bleeding and infection. Surgery to remove your lymph nodes increases your risk of arm swelling (lymphedema).
Some women choose to have breast reconstruction after surgery. Discuss your options and preferences with your surgeon. Consider a referral to a plastic surgeon before your breast cancer surgery. Your options may include reconstruction with a synthetic breast implant or reconstruction using your own tissue. These operations can be performed at the time of your mastectomy or at a later date.