Advanced Search
Current and Breaking News for Professionals, Consumers and Media




Cancer Issues Author: Staff Editor Last Updated: Sep 7, 2017 - 10:06:33 PM



Breast Cancer Surgery Options

By Staff Editor
Apr 19, 2017 - 1:06:15 PM



Email Newsletter icon, E-mail Newsletter icon, Email List icon, E-mail List icon Sign up for our Ezine
For Email Marketing you can trust


Email this article
 Printer friendly page

(HealthNewsDigest.com) - From the awkward excitement of putting on your first training bra to the profound tenderness of nursing your first baby, you have a deeply personal relationship with your breasts. But when women are diagnosed with breast cancer, that relationship is forever changed.

"It's not just a cosmetic thing; it’s a whole body issue, it's your sense of self," says Katherine Kopkash, MD, a breast surgeon at Rush.

Surgery is considered the primary treatment for breast cancer; the only women who do not typically have surgery are those who have metastatic breast cancer that has spread to places like the liver or bones.

However, breast cancer is unique compared to other cancers that are treated surgically because there are more surgical options for breast cancer. While doctors will certainly educate you about your options, the decision about which surgery to have is ultimately yours.

Making that decision with confidence starts with knowing what you're up against and using that knowledge to make the best choice for yourself. These seven steps can help you get started.

1. Choose your own path.

Forty years ago, the only surgical option for treating breast cancer was a mastectomy (removal of the breast).

Today, mastectomy is typically done if you have more advanced breast cancer, if you are a smaller-breasted woman with a large breast tumor, or if you have a genetic mutation that increases your risk for cancer. And unlike several decades ago, you can choose to have breast reconstruction surgery, often at the time of your mastectomy, to rebuild the shape of your breast.

But some women with breast cancer can also choose a less invasive surgical option. Breast conservation (also known as lumpectomy) involves removal of the tumor and some breast tissue, while saving the rest of the breast and then treating the breast with radiation therapy. This may be a good choice if you have a less advanced stage of cancer.

2. Learn your chances of survival.

Your top concern after being diagnosed with breast cancer is curing the cancer. The good news is that your chances of survival are the same whether you opt for breast conservation or a mastectomy. "That’s why so many women have both surgical options open to them," says Kopkash.

Also, whether or not you'll need additional treatments, such as chemotherapy and hormone therapy, are typically the same regardless of which surgery you choose.

There is, however, a slightly higher risk that the breast cancer will return (also known as breast cancer recurrence) if you've had breast conservation because the remaining breast tissue can still be at risk.

3. Get the facts.

Having a mastectomy does not always mean removing both breasts. Yet more women today are choosing to have a double mastectomy, even if the cancer is just in one breast. While this may provide peace of mind, studies have found that a double mastectomy may lower your chance of recurrence, but it does not improve survival.

In fact, doctors typically only recommend having both breasts removed (also known as bilateral mastectomy) if you have breast cancer in both breasts or if you carry the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene, which increases your risk of developing breast cancer.

If you need to think about it for a week or two or three, you can. We don't need to rush you to surgery the day you are diagnosed.

4. Take your time.

Most breast cancers are relatively slow growing compared to many other types of cancer.

"If you need to think about it for a week or two or three, you can," says Kopkash. "We don't need to rush you to surgery the day you are diagnosed. It's so important to make the right decision, because once it's done, it's done; it's not something you can take back."

Do your research, talk to women who have been through it — both mastectomy and breast conservation — and ask your doctor plenty of questions.

5. Ask about innovative treatments.

In addition to surgery, most women require some type of radiation.

One option for certain women is intraoperative radiation therapy (known as IORT), a one-time, concentrated radiation treatment you receive during your lumpectomy. IORT is used to treat early-stage breast cancer and lower the risk of recurrence by targeting the area of the breast most at risk for recurrence, while sparing healthy tissue and organs.

If you receive a single dose of IORT, it is often the only radiation you will need.

6. Know that you can still have beautiful breasts.

“There are so many times when women come into my office and they’re just devastated,” says Kopkash. “But then they realize their options. They learn that we can take out the cancer and they still have the breasts they want. It offers a positive outlook on what can be a scary diagnosis.”

7. Explore your options for breast reconstruction.

“There are so many negative emotions and feelings of powerlessness with breast cancer, but breast reconstruction can help you cope and retain your sense of self,” says Anuja Antony, MD, MPH, a plastic and reconstructive surgeon at Rush. “Numerous studies that have found that reconstruction make a significant positive impact on how you cope with the the psychological aspect of breast cancer.”

Depending on your breast size and your cosmetic goals, there are some options for breast reconstruction:

  • Reconstruction after mastectomy is available in two ways. You may choose to have breast reconstruction at the same time as your mastectomy. Or, you can have delayed breast reconstruction, a procedure in which your reconstruction may take place after your mastectomy.
  • Nipple-sparing mastectomy is available to some women. During this procedure, your breast surgeon will remove all of the breast tissue without removing the nipple or aerola. The surgeon hides the scar under the fold of the breast or in the lateral crease. This creates a very natural-looking breast.
  • Implant procedures use saline or silicone gel-filled implants to reconstruct the shape and look of your breast. “Our implant technology has changed and improved significantly,” says Antony. “We can now provide a wide range of sizes and feels that are fitted for all body types.” After the breast cancer surgeon removes the tumor and breast tissue, a plastic surgeon will place the implant under your chest muscles. You can have this procedure at the same time as your mastectomy, or after your mastectomy if you need radiation or other treatments.
  • Microvascular tissue flap procedures, including TRAM flap and DIEP flap, use tissue from your stomach, back, thighs or buttocks to rebuild the breast. These very complex procedures are done by a skilled plastic surgeon who specializes in microvascular breast reconstruction. Flap procedures have evolved in recent years, giving women more options and safer options than they had 10 years ago.
  • Latissiums dorsi flap procedures uses muscle from your upper back to reconstruct your breast. This is often a good option for women who are not good candidates for TRAM or DIEP flap procedure.
  • Oncoplastic breast reduction is a relatively new option for women having breast conservation surgery (lumpectomy). During this procedure, a breast cancer surgeon can remove the tumor and then often works as a team with a plastic surgeon to perform a breast reduction or lift for women who have large or sagging breasts.
  • ###


Top of Page

HealthNewsDigest.com

Cancer Issues
Latest Headlines


+ Cancer and Mental Health
+ Immunotherapy Drug Shows Continued Promise in Several Advanced-Stage Cancers
+ Find New Mechanism to Turn on Cancer-Killing T Cells
+ Back to the Trails After Cancer Rehabilitation
+ Breakthrough COVID Infections More Likely in Cancer and Alzheimer’s Patients
+ Consider all Treatment Options for Ovarian Cancer
+ Men Need to Take Melanoma Seriously
+ Melanoma a Higher Risk for Older Veterans
+ Precision Medicine Approach to Metabolic Therapy for Breast Cancer
+ Test for Multiple Myeloma Provides Clues of a Rare, More Deadly Type



Contact Us | Job Listings | Help | Site Map | About Us
Advertising Information | HND Press Release | Submit Information | Disclaimer

Site hosted by Sanchez Productions