Breast Cancer Treatment

A lumpectomy is also called breast-conserving surgery. As its name suggests, this surgery involves removing only the lump or tumor, leaving your breast mostly intact. Your breast surgeon may also remove some nearby tissue.

Typically, a lumpectomy is recommended for early-stage breast cancer and breast cancers not associated with genetic mutations. If your tumor is large or you have multiple areas of cancer in your breast, a lumpectomy may not be the right treatment for you.

If you have a lumpectomy, you will likely also need radiation therapy.

A mastectomy is surgery that removes one or both breasts. Your breast surgeon may also remove nearby lymph nodes to see if they have cancerous cells (known as a sentinel or axillary lymph node biopsy).

We understand that removing an entire breast is a big life decision. It may be a good option for you if you have early-stage cancer and don’t want or are unable to have radiation therapy, which is typically required with a lumpectomy. Mastectomies are also recommended for women with advanced or inflammatory breast cancer, genetic mutations and multiple tumors that are located far apart. Your healthcare team will be there to answer your questions and offer support during this process.

Two procedures allow your breast surgeon to determine whether cancer has spread outside the breast.

• Sentinel lymph node biopsy is used to remove sentinel lymph nodes, which are the first lymph nodes affected by breast cancer. These lymph nodes are under your arm, and the surgeon uses a special dye to find them. Once removed, the lymph nodes are tested to see if your cancer has spread.
• Axillary lymph node dissection involves removing many more lymph nodes under your arm and is usually done if a sentinel lymph node biopsy suggests that cancer has spread or if your lymph nodes are swollen. Often, your breast surgeon will perform this during a mastectomy, but you may need a second surgery to have it done.

Many women who have breast cancer surgery have the option of breast reconstruction. For those having a mastectomy, rebuilding the breast mound with implants or natural tissue can restore its appearance. In a lumpectomy, fat grafting may correct dimples left from the procedure. It's important to remember that the options for reconstruction are unique to each woman's situation and preference.

Reconstructive surgery can be done immediately during cancer surgery or delayed until later. Your options will depend not only on your medical condition but also on your personal preferences.

If you're considering reconstruction, it's helpful to discuss it with both your breast surgeon and a plastic surgeon before surgery to plan the best approach, even if reconstruction is delayed.