Types of Breast Cancer Surgeries Explained By Oncologists


 Breast cancer treatment involves surgery to remove the tumor or part of the breast. Based on the type, size, and location of the tumor, along with other factors, the oncologist will recommend the best surgical option. Here, we will look at the most common types of breast cancer surgeries, providing you with clear insights from our oncologists.

Kinds of Breast Cancer Surgeries

Lumpectomy: Breast-Conserving Surgery

A lumpectomy is a surgery that removes the tumor and a small margin of the nearby healthy tissue. This is called breast-conserving surgery because it lets you keep most of your breast. It is recommended for smaller tumors and when the cancer has not spread. After a lumpectomy, radiation therapy is usually suggested to eliminate cancer cells and reduce the risk of recurrence.

Mastectomy: Removing the Entire Breast

In a mastectomy, the oncology surgeon removes the entire breast to eliminate cancer cells. There are different types of mastectomies, each tailored to the extent of cancer spread:

  • Total (Simple) Mastectomy: This surgery removes the entire breast but leaves the lymph nodes intact. It is generally done when cancer is confined to the breast and hasn’t spread to the lymph nodes.

  • Modified Radical Mastectomy: This procedure removes the whole breast along with some lymph nodes under the arm. It is recommended when cancer has spread to the lymph nodes.

  • Radical Mastectomy: This is a less common and more extensive surgery that removes the entire breast, lymph nodes, and chest wall muscles. It is only used in very specific cases where cancer has spread significantly.

Doctors from SH Binayak Multi-speciality Hospital, a surgical oncology hospital in Dumdum can guide you in understanding whether a mastectomy is right for your situation.

Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy

In some cases, it’s essential to check whether the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes. A sentinel lymph node biopsy is a procedure where the first few lymph nodes or sentinel nodes that drain lymph from the breast are removed and tested for cancer. This helps avoid removing multiple lymph nodes unnecessarily and reduces complications such as lymphedema.

Axillary Lymph Node Dissection

In case cancer is detected in the sentinel nodes, further surgery may be needed to remove additional lymph nodes from the underarm area. This is known as an axillary lymph node dissection.

Conclusion

If you or a loved one is about to undergo breast cancer surgery, it’s vital to have open discussions with an oncologist about the best approach for the situation. Schedule a consultation with the oncology doctors at SH Binayak Multi-speciality Hospital, a surgical oncology hospital in Dumdum, to receive appropriate guidance.

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