Breast surgery is often the solution to women that have breast cancer. It is through the surgical operation that the tumors can be removed. There are various options, including breast-conserving surgery and mastectomy. There is the option of reconstructing the breasts at the same time as the surgical procedure or later on. The surgical operation is also used for checking the lymph nodes under the arm so that there is no spread of the disease. This can be done through either sentinel lymph node biopsy or axillary dissection.
Conservation surgeries for breasts are also called partial mastectomy. Basically, what happens is that the affected sections of breasts are gotten rid of while leaving the healthy portions intact. The removed sizes will be dependent on both the size and location of the tumors, plus several other factors. If there is requirement of radiation therapy after the procedure, small metal chips will need to be placed in the breasts. The chips serve to mark the different areas that will need to undergo radiation treatment.
In lumpectomy, there is removal of only the lumps in breasts plus the surrounding margins of normal tissue. It is after lumpectomy that radiation therapy is given. There are instances when adjuvant chemotherapy is to be given also. If this be the case, then radiation would have to be delayed until completion of chemotherapy.
In quadrantectomy, more tissue is removed than is done in lumpectomy. One quarter of affected breasts are removed, which explains why it is called quadrantectomy. Radiation therapy is done after the procedure is completed. However, just like is the case in lumpectomy, if chemotherapy is to be done then radiation would have to be scheduled after that.
In case the cells are at any of the edges of tissues that are removed, they are said to have positive margins. In the event that no cancerous cells are found at the edges of these tissues, then they will be said to have clear margins. When the positive margins are there, it implies that there could be some cancerous cells left behind. This would require that the surgeon goes back and removes more tissues in an operation referred to as re-excision. If the margins cannot be cleared properly through tissue removal, mastectomy may be required.
The possible side effects of the entire procedure should be discussed with the surgeon well in advance. Some of the side effects include tenderness, temporary swelling, pain and hard scar tissue. Just like is the case with all surgical operations, bleeding and infections are big possibilities. One should be well aware of these effects before consenting to undergo treatment.
In the event that large portions of breasts are removed, their shape is bound to be considerably affected. This will make them look not only different but also unsymmetrical. This will call for reconstructive surgery. Alternatively, there are instances when unaffected breasts get reduced in size so that symmetry is achieved. Such reduction can be done during the first surgical procedure.
It is important to talk to the doctor or better still a plastic surgeon before breast surgery in order to know what breasts will look like afterwards. It is also at this time that they may discuss options of dealing with the same. This makes patients approach the procedure with more courage and confidence.
Conservation surgeries for breasts are also called partial mastectomy. Basically, what happens is that the affected sections of breasts are gotten rid of while leaving the healthy portions intact. The removed sizes will be dependent on both the size and location of the tumors, plus several other factors. If there is requirement of radiation therapy after the procedure, small metal chips will need to be placed in the breasts. The chips serve to mark the different areas that will need to undergo radiation treatment.
In lumpectomy, there is removal of only the lumps in breasts plus the surrounding margins of normal tissue. It is after lumpectomy that radiation therapy is given. There are instances when adjuvant chemotherapy is to be given also. If this be the case, then radiation would have to be delayed until completion of chemotherapy.
In quadrantectomy, more tissue is removed than is done in lumpectomy. One quarter of affected breasts are removed, which explains why it is called quadrantectomy. Radiation therapy is done after the procedure is completed. However, just like is the case in lumpectomy, if chemotherapy is to be done then radiation would have to be scheduled after that.
In case the cells are at any of the edges of tissues that are removed, they are said to have positive margins. In the event that no cancerous cells are found at the edges of these tissues, then they will be said to have clear margins. When the positive margins are there, it implies that there could be some cancerous cells left behind. This would require that the surgeon goes back and removes more tissues in an operation referred to as re-excision. If the margins cannot be cleared properly through tissue removal, mastectomy may be required.
The possible side effects of the entire procedure should be discussed with the surgeon well in advance. Some of the side effects include tenderness, temporary swelling, pain and hard scar tissue. Just like is the case with all surgical operations, bleeding and infections are big possibilities. One should be well aware of these effects before consenting to undergo treatment.
In the event that large portions of breasts are removed, their shape is bound to be considerably affected. This will make them look not only different but also unsymmetrical. This will call for reconstructive surgery. Alternatively, there are instances when unaffected breasts get reduced in size so that symmetry is achieved. Such reduction can be done during the first surgical procedure.
It is important to talk to the doctor or better still a plastic surgeon before breast surgery in order to know what breasts will look like afterwards. It is also at this time that they may discuss options of dealing with the same. This makes patients approach the procedure with more courage and confidence.
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