Breast Cancer Surgery

Breast Cancer Surgery

For the last 20 years, breast cancer has been diagnosed in many women worldwide. Breast cancer is a serious disease that significantly impacts women’s lives and can cause death if not treated promptly.

Is Breast Cancer Treatable?

Thanks to technological advances, many deadly diseases including breast cancer can be treated effectively. Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial. If the cancer has not spread through lymphatic or blood systems, early treatment can successfully remove the cancerous tissue. Various surgical methods are used to treat breast cancer.

What is Breast Surgery and Which Methods are Used?

Breast surgery is a specialized field focusing on the treatment of breast cancer. The goal is to remove cancerous tissue through different techniques performed by expert surgeons. Surgical treatments for breast diseases include:

• Partial removal of the breast (breast conserving surgery)
• Complete removal of the breast (mastectomy)
• Skin-sparing mastectomy with breast reconstruction using fat grafts or fillers
• Breast reconstruction after mastectomy and completion of chemotherapy or radiotherapy
• Sentinel (guard) lymph node sampling

Mastectomy Types

• Simple Mastectomy: Also called total mastectomy, it removes the entire breast including the nipple but spares underarm lymph nodes and chest muscles.
• Skin-Sparing Mastectomy: Preserves breast skin for immediate reconstruction; commonly preferred for aesthetic outcomes.
• Modified Radical Mastectomy: Includes removal of breast tissue and axillary lymph nodes.
• Radical Mastectomy: Removes breast, axillary lymph nodes, and chest wall muscles; rarely performed today.

Breast Conserving Surgery

Also known as partial or segmental mastectomy, this surgery removes only the cancerous part of the breast.

• Lumpectomy: Removal of the tumor and surrounding tissue.
• Quadrantectomy: Removal of one-quarter of the breast.

Radiotherapy usually follows these surgeries to reduce recurrence risk.

Lymph Node Procedures

Lymph Node Biopsy: Performed during surgery to check if cancer has spread to lymph nodes.

Lymph Node Surgery: If cancer is found in lymph nodes, both breast tissue and lymph nodes may be removed by the surgeon.

Which Doctor to See for Breast Examination?

Breast diseases and treatments are generally managed by general surgery specialists. Consulting a general surgeon or breast surgeon is the first step toward accurate diagnosis and treatment.

Modern breast cancer treatment often involves a multidisciplinary team including general surgeons, aesthetic surgeons, and radiotherapy specialists working together for optimal patient outcomes.