How Breast Surgery Works
If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer, breast surgery may be recommended to remove the cancerous tissue. There are multiple types of breast surgery, and the type that is best for you will depend on a number of factors, including the size of the tumor and whether the cancer has spread.
The two types of breast cancer surgery are lumpectomy and mastectomy:
- Lumpectomy, also known as breast-conserving surgery, is a procedure to remove cancerous tissue along with a small amount of surrounding tissue, known as the margin. This type of breast cancer surgery is used for women in the earliest stages of breast cancer, when cancer has not spread.
- Mastectomy is a procedure in which the entire breast containing cancer is removed. When both breasts are removed, the procedure is known as a double mastectomy.
During breast cancer surgery, one or more nearby lymph nodes in the underarm—known as axillary lymph nodes—are often also removed. The lymph nodes are then tested to determine if breast cancer has spread and whether additional treatment may be needed. If it is determined during the surgical procedure that the lymph nodes are cancerous, they will also be removed.
In many cases, women choose to pair breast cancer surgery with breast reconstruction. This can be done at the same time as breast cancer surgery, which is called immediate reconstruction, or at a later time, which is called delayed reconstruction.
Surgeons at Hattiesburg Clinic have experience and expertise in performing both breast cancer surgery and reconstruction. This gives patients a seamless experience, with one provider for both types of surgery.