Surgery For Breast Cancer

Most women with breast cancer have some type of surgery to remove the tumor in the breast.

There are two types of surgery in general use with respect to the breast:

• Breast-conserving surgery which, as the name implies, preserves the breast.
• Mastectomy which removes the breast. If there is a mastectomy, the breast can be reconstructed. Breast reconstruction can be done at the same time as the mastectomy or it can be performed later on.

Surgery is also used to check the lymph nodes under the arm for cancer spread. The two options for this type of surgery are:

• Sentinel lymph node biopsy
• Axillary (armpit) lymph node dissection

For additional information, see:

• Questions to ask:
• • Before Agreeing To A Treatment For Breast Cancer
  • Before Agreeing To Surgery
  • Before Agreeing To A Breast Reconstruction
• What To Expect With Surgery
• Breast Conserving Surgery
• Mastectomy
• Choosing Between Lumpectomy and Mastectomy
• Axillary Lymph Node Dissection
• Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy
• Post-Mastectomy Pain Syndrome
• Reconstructive Surgery
• Preparation For Breast Surgery
• • Medical
  • Non-Medical
• Paying For Breast Surgery
• • How To Maximize Use Of Your Health Insurance Policy
  • How To Qualify For Medicaid
  • Uninsured (how to obtain surgery despite being uninsured)
  • How To Deal With A Financial Crunch Or Crisis

The following information is based on material from the American Cancer Society

After having a mastectomy (or some breast-conserving surgeries), you may want to consider having the breast mound rebuilt. This is called breast reconstruction.

The purpose of breast reconstruction is restore the breast's appearance after surgery, not to treat the cancer.

There are several types of surgery in which a breast is reconstructed. Some use saline (salt water) or silicone implants, while others use tissues from other parts of your body (autologous tissue reconstruction). For a discussion of the different reconstruction options, see the American Cancer Society document, Breast Reconstruction After Mastectomy.

If you are going to have breast surgery and are thinking about having reconstruction:

• Before having surgery, consult with a plastic surgeon who is an expert in breast reconstruction.
• You may also find it helpful to talk with a woman who has had the type of reconstruction you might be considering. Your doctor’s staff or American Cancer Society’s Reach to Recovery volunteers can help you make a connection.

Keep in mind that:

• Decisions about the type of reconstruction and when it will be done is up to you, the patient. Decisions generally depend on your medical situation and personal preferences.
• There is likely a choice between having a breast reconstructed at the same time as the mastectomy (immediate reconstruction) or at a later time (delayed reconstruction).