Breast Cancer 101

A Guide to Breast Cancer by Susan G. Komen

CHAPTER 9

Breast Cancer Surgery and Breast Reconstruction

CHAPTER 9

Breast Cancer Surgery and Breast Reconstruction

Chapter Overview

Breast Cancer Surgery and Breast Reconstruction discusses the two main types of breast cancer surgery, lumpectomy and mastectomy, along with a review of their side effects.

It also goes over breast reconstruction, which can help restore the look of the breast following breast cancer surgery.

The following topics are discussed in this section:

  • Surgery Overview
    • Goal of breast cancer surgery
    • Two main types of breast cancer surgery
    • Treatment effectiveness of surgery
    • When other treatments are needed
  • Lumpectomy
    • When a lumpectomy is done
    • Description of the procedure
    • Radiation therapy after a lumpectomy
    • Mastectomy
      • Total (simple) mastectomy
      • Modified radical mastectomy
      • Description of each procedure
      • When each procedure is done
      • Radiation therapy after a mastectomy
    • Side Effects of Surgery
      • Side effects by procedure
      • Soreness
      • Numbness or burning
      • Limited range of motion
      • Lymphedema
      • Emotional changes
    • Breast Reconstruction
      • Immediate vs. delayed reconstruction
      • Benefits of reconstruction
      • Reconstruction options
      • Reconstruction with implants
      • Reconstruction with skin and tissue grafts
      • Reconstruction and skin-sparing mastectomy
      • Reconstruction and nipple-sparing mastectomy
      • Side effects of reconstructive surgery
      • Emotional changes after surgery