The goal of breast cancer surgery is to remove the tumor itself and some of the tissue around it while preserving as much of the breast as possible.
What are the options for breast cancer surgery?
The difference in approach between the various breast cancer surgeries is the amount of breast tissue that is removed along with the tumor, depending on where the tumor is, how much it has spread, and how the individual feels. As part of the surgery, the surgeon will also remove some of the axillary lymph nodes to detect the presence of cancer cells, which will help the surgeon develop a treatment plan after the surgery.
The surgeon will discuss the surgical options before surgery and may recommend a surgical approach based on the size and location of the tumor or the patient’s genetic risk factors. Surgical procedures that patients may be exposed to include:
- Breast-conserving surgery, which is a lumpectomy (also known as a partial or segmental mastectomy, or quadrantectomy) in which only a portion of the breast is removed
- Mastectomy, the removal of the entire breast. This includes:
Total mastectomy
Skin-preserving mastectomy
Modified radical mastectomy
Classical radical surgery (rarely performed)
Patients should carefully learn about these surgical options from their physicians to obtain the best possible outcome. Regardless of which option is the best choice, patients will return home after a brief hospital stay.
How long will I need to stay in the hospital for breast cancer surgery?
The length of hospital stay depends on the type of breast cancer surgery performed. Typically, patients stay in the hospital for a short time after breast-conserving surgery for recovery. A mastectomy or lymph node dissection usually requires a hospital stay of several days.