Breast Surgery
Breast surgery is more than just removing your tumors; it's also about evaluating your lymph nodes to see how far your breast cancer may have spread.
Your surgery options will vary depending on what the cancer is and what you are interested in doing.
Mastectomy, lumpectomy or breast conserving surgery?
The main options for breast cancer surgery include:
- Lumpectomy – your surgeon removes the breast cancer and some normal tissue surrounding it
- Breast Conserving Surgery – your surgeon tries to spare and preserve as much breast tissue as possible
- Mastectomy – your surgeon removes the entire breast
Your breast surgeon will discuss each of these options with you, along with the many variables that need to be considered, which include:
- the size, location and stage of your cancer
- your family history
- your age
- any genetic testing that's been done
Ultimately, the decision on which type of surgery to have is up to you, after considering all the options and your surgeon's best recommendations.
Breast reconstruction
Should you choose to have a mastectomy, your surgeon will go over the options for breast reconstruction surgery.
We will coordinate with the plastic surgeon to have the procedure done either at the time of your mastectomy, or later in your recovery.
There are two types of breast reconstruction:
- breast reconstruction with natural tissue
- breast reconstruction with implants
Your plastic surgeon can help you determine the right option for you. And if you decide against breast reconstruction surgery, your breast cancer nurse navigator can help you with the process of prosthetics.
What happens during your breast cancer surgery?
You will be under general anesthesia for your surgery.
Your breast surgeon will work to make your incisions as small as medically possible.
Your surgeon is often able to make the incisions where they are less noticeable.
Your surgeon will also evaluate your lymph nodes during your surgical procedure.
This is to see if your cancer has spread beyond your breast. For most women, this can be done with a sentinal node biopsy. Your surgeon will identify the first few lymph nodes and remove them for testing.
Depending on the type of the tumor and whether it's spread to the lymph nodes, you might need a more extensive procedure in your armpit, called an axillary dissection.
When will I go home?
If you have a mastectomy, you'll likely remain in the hospital overnight. With a lumpectomy, you will likely go home the same day.
Will I need additional treatment?
If you decide on a lumpectomy or breast-conserving surgery, you will typically receive follow-up radiation treatments. Learn more about radiation treatment for breast cancer.
Typically, mastectomies do not need follow-up radiation treatments, unless you have a large tumor or a tumor with involved nodes.
What will my recovery from breast cancer surgery be like?
Your activities will be limited initially, but you'll be encouraged to work toward resuming your normal life as soon as possible.
The area of the surgery may be bruised for a few days. You might be numb, uncomfortable or have tingling on the inner part of your upper arm or in your armpit. This is normal.
You'll want to follow-up with your breast surgeon within a specified period of time, or if you experience side effects that concern you.
Are there any post-surgery challenges?
The breast cancer specialists at EvergreenHealth also have expertise to help you with possible challenges following your surgery.
Lymphedema
Lymphedema is the build-up of lymphatic fluid that causes swelling in the arm and hand, and occasionally in the chest/breast on the side of your breast surgery.
You will be referred to the specialized outpatient lymphedema program at EvergreenHealth Rehabilitation Services. Our therapists have received training in massage techniques, bandaging and exercises and have specialized equipment to reduce the discomfort.
What are my chances for a recurrence?
With a breast conserving approach, your survival statistics in general are going to be the same whether or not you keep your breast. There is a little difference in local recurrence and whether or not something comes back in your breast or along the chest wall.
With a lumpectomy and radiation, our statistics suggest about a 4 percent risk of a local recurrence in ten years.
With a mastectomy, it's about a 1 percent or 2 percent risk of something recurring up along the chest wall.
Our expectation is for you to be cured and get on with your life with no limitations.
Learn about other breast cancer treatment options:
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