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Breast Cancer Treatment Methods
In total mastectomy (simple), the surgeon removes the whole breast. Some lymph nodes under the arm may
also be removed.
The entire breast, the majority of the lymph nodes under the arm, and frequently the lining over the
chest muscles are removed during a modified radical mastectomy by the surgeon.
In The surgeon performs a radical mastectomy (also known as a Halsted radical mastectomy), during
which the breast, both chest muscles, all of the lymph nodes under the arm, as well as some extra
fat and skin, are removed. This procedure was once thought to be the norm for breast
breast cancer patients
, but it is now seldom ever used. If the cancer has advanced to the chest muscles, radical mastectomy
may be recommended in rare circumstances
Here are some questions a woman may want to ask her doctor before having surgery:
- What kinds of surgery can I consider? Is breast-sparing surgery an option for me? Which operation
do you recommend for me? What are the risks of surgery?
- Should I store some of my own blood in case I need a transfusion?
- Do I need my lymph nodes removed? How many? Why? What special precautions will I need to take if
lymph nodes are removed?
- How will I feel after the operation?
- Will I need to learn how to do special things to take care of myself or my incision when I get home?
- Where will the scars be? What will they look like?
- If I decide to have plastic surgery to rebuild my breast, how and when can that be done? Can you
suggest a plastic surgeon for me to contact?
- Will I have to do special exercises?
- When can I get back to my normal activities?
- Is there someone I can talk with who has had the same breast cancer treatments I'll be having?
