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.
Lumpectomy involves getting rid of the tumors and the surrounding margins that have normal tissue. This procedure will be followed by radiation therapy. There however are times when chemotherapy needs to be given. In such instances, radiation gets delayed until chemotherapy is done with.
In comparison with lumpectomy, in quadrantectomy more tissue is removed. In fact, one quarter of the breast gets removed, hence the name. Radiation is done after that. If however chemotherapy needs to be given as well, then the surgeons will delay radiation until the chemotherapy is completed.
If cancerous cells are present at tissue edges of the removed sections, these are said to have positive margins. Conversely, if no such cells are present then these margins are said to be clear. The presence of positive margins will require that more tissues are removed because it would mean there still are cancerous cells left. This is done in a procedure that is preferred to as re-excision. In case such margins are unable to be properly cleared through removal of tissues, then more advanced procedures come into play. The most used procedure in such cases is mastectomy.
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.
Change in shape of breasts is a big possibility in the case that large portions of breasts are removed. This will require that the patient goes for reconstructive surgery. The unaffected breasts can also undergo reduction in size so that symmetry is achieved. The reduction in size can be done in the course of the initial procedure.
Breast surgery will require that the patient holds a meeting beforehand with the surgeon or doctor so that they know what the breasts will look like after the procedure. Options of dealing with shape changes will also be explored. It makes patients to approach the procedure with more 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.
Lumpectomy involves getting rid of the tumors and the surrounding margins that have normal tissue. This procedure will be followed by radiation therapy. There however are times when chemotherapy needs to be given. In such instances, radiation gets delayed until chemotherapy is done with.
In comparison with lumpectomy, in quadrantectomy more tissue is removed. In fact, one quarter of the breast gets removed, hence the name. Radiation is done after that. If however chemotherapy needs to be given as well, then the surgeons will delay radiation until the chemotherapy is completed.
If cancerous cells are present at tissue edges of the removed sections, these are said to have positive margins. Conversely, if no such cells are present then these margins are said to be clear. The presence of positive margins will require that more tissues are removed because it would mean there still are cancerous cells left. This is done in a procedure that is preferred to as re-excision. In case such margins are unable to be properly cleared through removal of tissues, then more advanced procedures come into play. The most used procedure in such cases is mastectomy.
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.
Change in shape of breasts is a big possibility in the case that large portions of breasts are removed. This will require that the patient goes for reconstructive surgery. The unaffected breasts can also undergo reduction in size so that symmetry is achieved. The reduction in size can be done in the course of the initial procedure.
Breast surgery will require that the patient holds a meeting beforehand with the surgeon or doctor so that they know what the breasts will look like after the procedure. Options of dealing with shape changes will also be explored. It makes patients to approach the procedure with more confidence.
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