Breast Cancer Treatment – Mastectomy

Mastectomy Treatment for Breast Cancer

Most breast cancer patients will have some form of surgery to remove cancer from the breast. More and more women are opting for breast-conserving surgery, over a mastectomy, when appropriate. Studies have demonstrated that there are equal survival rates for women who have invasive breast cancer and choose a lumpectomy instead of a mastectomy for their breast cancer treatment.

If breast-conserving surgery is not an option for you, a mastectomy may be performed to remove the affected breast. Your treatment team at Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) will help you weigh the benefits and risks of each breast cancer treatment so you can decide which surgery is right for your specific situation.

There are three types of breast cancer mastectomies: simple, radical and partial mastectomies.

In a simple mastectomy, your entire affected breast is removed and possibly a few surrounding lymph nodes.

In a modified radical mastectomy, your breast is removed along with lymph nodes in the axilla (underarm). Your muscles (pectoral) under the breast are preserved.

In a partial mastectomy (also called a lumpectomy or wide resection), only the part of your breast containing the cancer is removed, along with some normal breast tissue surrounding the cancer. This is done to preserve most of your breast tissue. If your treatment team recommends a lumpectomy, in most cases you will receive radiation therapy after surgery to prevent a recurrence.

If you choose a breast cancer treatment plan that includes a mastectomy, you have several options for breast reconstruction using implants or tissue to restore your breast’s appearance and function. It’s important to discuss breast reconstruction with a plastic surgeon before surgical breast cancer treatment. Decisions about the type of reconstruction and when it will be done depend on your medical situation and personal preferences.

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Breast Cancer