How does surgery treat breast cancer?

Ajay K. Sahajpal, MD on behalf of Aurora Health Care

Transplant Surgery

Surgery treats breast cancer by removing the cancerous cells from the body.

Honor Society of Nursing (STTI)

Most breast cancer patients need surgery to remove the cancer. If a tumor is small, a lumpectomy (which removes the tumor and a thin surrounding layer of healthy breast tissue) may be sufficient. With larger or more extensive cancers, a surgeon may need to remove more or all of the breast and possibly one or more nearby lymph nodes.

Some women decide to have reconstructive breast surgery at the same time as their cancer surgery or afterward. The breast tissue can be replaced with the woman's own tissue (removed from elsewhere in the body) or with a saline or silicone implant.

Stuart A. Linder, MD

Plastic Surgery

In patients who are found to have had malignant tumors, generally some form of surgery will be required. Small tumors may be removed by a surgical lumpectomy, removing the tumor with a small margin of healthy tissue around the cancerous tissue. However, more extensive tumors normally require more exenterative surgery such as mastectomy or partial mastectomy with lymph node dissection. Some patients may undergo modified radical mastectomies with lymph node dissection and radiation therapy. There are several reconstructive surgeries that can be performed, including silicone gel implant reconstruction, autologous transfer of tissue through pedicles, or direct free flaps of tissue brought over to the breast to reconstruct a mound with microvascular anastomosis.

Continue Learning about Breast Reconstruction Surgery

Columbia University Department of Surgery

IImmediate reconstruction avoids the need for another operation at a later date, but it adds time to...

Stuart A. Linder, MD

After undergoing a mastectomy for breast cancer, many women decide to undergo reconstruction either ...

How Are Nipples Recreated As Part of Breast Reconstruction Surgery?

Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.

Breast Reconstruction Surgery

Women who have aggressive forms of breast cancer, or who are at high risk of developing the disease, sometimes choose to have a mastectomy, the surgical removal of one or both breasts. Some patients may then choose to have surgery to reconstruct their breasts to restore their form and shape. During this procedure, doctors can replace any skin, breast tissue or a nipple that they may have removed during the surgery. (If you still need radiation therapy after your mastectomy, your doctor may suggest you wait for reconstructive surgery until after you finish treatment.) Breast implants, filled with either silicone or saline, can be used to reshape your breast, or you can even use your own tissue, a procedure called flap surgery. Both breast implants and flap surgery are complex procedures, each with their own risks; they may require second surgeries to position the breasts correctly. Most insurance companies will cover this type of reconstructive surgery. Learn more about breast reconstruction with expert advice from Sharecare.

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