Surgery
Find information about coronavirus and breast cancer surgery.
The goal of breast cancer surgery is to remove the entire tumor from the breast.
Some of the lymph nodes in the underarm area (axillary nodes) may also be removed to see if they contain cancer.
Lumpectomy and mastectomy
There are 2 basic types of surgery to remove breast cancer:
- Lumpectomy (also called breast-conserving surgery, partial mastectomy or wide excision)
- Mastectomy
Figure 5.1 shows each type of surgery.
Figure 5.1
Lumpectomy. The surgeon removes the breast tumor and a small rim of normal tissue around it. The rest of the breast remains intact. How your breast looks after lumpectomy depends on the amount of tissue removed. The image below is just an example. Your scar may be a different size and/or in a different place. |
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Image courtesy of Lange Productions (http://langeproductions.com/). |
Mastectomy. The surgeon removes the entire breast. In many, but not all, cases this includes the nipple and areola. Sometimes, breast reconstruction is done at the same time as a mastectomy. |
Image courtesy of Lange Productions (http://langeproductions.com/). |
Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy after lumpectomy
After surgery, most women who have a lumpectomy will have radiation therapy to the breast, and sometimes the underarm area. If the treatment plan includes chemotherapy, radiation therapy is given after chemotherapy.
Radiation therapy after mastectomy
Some women who have a mastectomy may have radiation therapy to the chest and/or the underarm area. If the treatment plan includes chemotherapy, radiation therapy is given after chemotherapy.
Learn more about radiation therapy.
Treatment guidelines
Although the exact treatment for breast cancer varies from person to person, guidelines help ensure high-quality care. These guidelines are based on the latest research and agreement among experts.
The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) and the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) are respected organizations that regularly review and update their guidelines.
In addition, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) has treatment overviews.
Talk with your health care providers about which treatment guidelines they use.
Deciding between lumpectomy and mastectomy
You may have a choice between a lumpectomy (plus radiation therapy) or a mastectomy.
If you have a choice, take time to study your options. Weigh the risks and benefits of each and choose the surgery that’s right for you. Survival is the same no matter which option you choose [2].
Also, the choice of surgery does not affect whether you will need chemotherapy, hormone therapy and/or HER2-targeted therapy. Drug therapies are given based on the characteristics of the tumor, not the type of surgery you have.
Learn more about deciding between lumpectomy and mastectomy.
You are not alone
If you’re facing breast cancer surgery, remember, many people have been where you are today. They had the same fears and faced the same tough choices. They’ve gone through breast cancer treatment, recovered and are living their lives.
It may be helpful to talk with others who’ve finished treatment to help ease your fears.
Our Support section has a list of resources to help find local and online support groups. Your health care provider may also be able to help you find a support group.
Learn more about social support and support groups.
SUSAN G. KOMEN® SUPPORT RESOURCES |
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Surgery does not cause cancer to spread
Exposing breast cancer to air, removing some tumor tissue with a needle biopsy or cutting through the cancer during surgery does not cause it to spread.
Surgery and diagnostic procedures (such as surgical and needle biopsies) don’t cause breast cancer to spread.
For a short time after surgery, you will feel worse than you did before surgery. This is not because the breast cancer spread. Your body just needs time to recover from the surgery.
Sometimes, the surgeon finds more cancer during surgery than could be seen on a mammogram or other imaging tests. This doesn’t mean the breast cancer spread during surgery. The breast cancer was already there. It just didn’t show up on the imaging tests.