Breast cancer surgery is a critical component of breast cancer treatment that involves surgically removing the malignancy. Breast cancer surgery can be done alone or in conjunction with other therapies such as chemotherapy, hormone therapy, targeted therapy, and radiation therapy. 

Breast cancer surgery may be an option for persons who are at high risk of developing breast cancer in the future. 

Breast cancer surgery covers a variety of methods, such as: 

- Surgery to remove the whole breast (mastectomy) 

- Breast tissue removal surgery (lumpectomy) 

- Surgery to remove surrounding lymph nodes 

- Breast reconstruction surgery after a mastectomy

The best breast cancer surgery for you is determined by the size and stage of your disease, your other treatment choices, and your objectives and preferences.

Types 

-> Breast augmentation by flap surgery 
-> Breast augmentation with implants 
-> Lumpectomy 
-> Mastectomy 
-> Biopsy of a sentinel node

Why is it done?

Breast cancer surgery is intended to remove cancer cells from your breast. If you select breast reconstruction, you may have a treatment to install breast implants or reconstruct a breast from your own tissue (flap surgery) done at the same time or later. 

Most stages of breast cancer are treated with surgery, including:

-> A increased chance of developing breast cancer 

People who are at high risk of breast cancer due to a strong family history of the illness, specific noncancerous breast biopsy results, or a gene mutation may consider a preventive (prophylactic) mastectomy with or without immediate breast reconstruction as a breast cancer prevention strategy. 

-> Breast cancer that is noninvasive 

People with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) may have a lumpectomy followed by radiation treatment, although mastectomy with or without breast reconstruction is also an option. 

-> Breast cancer in early stages 

Small breast cancers are often treated by a lumpectomy or mastectomy, with or without breast reconstruction, followed by radiation and, in rare cases, chemotherapy, hormone treatment, or targeted therapy.

-> Breast tumors that are larger 

Larger malignancies may be treated by mastectomy, while chemotherapy, hormone treatment, or targeted therapy may be done before to surgery to allow for a lumpectomy. Radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, or targeted therapy may be indicated as further treatments. 

-> Breast cancer that has spread locally 

Breast tumors that are very big or have spread to several lymph nodes are frequently treated initially with chemotherapy, hormone treatment, or targeted therapy to decrease the tumor and improve surgical outcome. These malignancies can be treated with a mastectomy or a lumpectomy followed by radiation treatment.

-> Breast cancer recurrence 

Breast cancer that returns after first therapy may be removed surgically. Additional treatments may be advised.

By Recmed Medical - Breast Diseases Doctors and Surgeons