Dr.Satish c- Surgical Oncologist in bangalore
Mastectomy
Mastectomy is one of the common treatment options for breast cancer. For the successful management of breast cancer
Mastectomy
Overview
Mastectomy is one of the common treatment options for breast cancer. For the successful management of breast cancer, it is important for patients to consult the best breast cancer surgeons. The breast cancer surgeon usually removes all of the breast tissue during a mastectomy. They will also remove some lymph nodes from the underarm region to see if cancer has progressed beyond the breast.
More about Mastectomy
Mastectomy is one of the common treatment options for breast cancer. For the successful management of breast cancer, it is important for patients to consult the best breast cancer surgeons. The breast cancer surgeon usually removes all of the breast tissue during a mastectomy. They will also remove some lymph nodes from the underarm region to see if cancer has progressed beyond the breast.
Types
There are multiple types of mastectomy. The breast cancer surgeon decides the type of mastectomy depending on the stage of the disease, the exact location of the tumor, and the overall health status of the patient.
- Simple Mastectomy/ Total Mastectomy:During a simple mastectomy, the breast cancer surgeon removes all of the breast tissue, breast skin, the nipple, and the areola. This will be followed by sentinel lymph node dissection, where 1-3 lymph nodes from the underarm region will be removed and examined for cancer cells.
- Modified Radical Mastectomy:This procedure is similar to simple mastectomy. The surgeon will remove the entire breast. Along with this, the surgeon also performs axillary lymph node dissection, during which most of the lymph nodes from the underarm region (on the side of the tumor) are removed and examined for the presence of cancer cells.
- Nipple-sparing Mastectomy:All of the breast tissue is removed during a nipple-sparing mastectomy, but the nipple, areola, and breast skin are left intact. Depending on the diagnosis, sentinel lymph node dissection or axillary lymph node dissection may be performed.
- Skin-sparing Mastectomy:During this procedure, the surgeon removes all of the breast tissue, the nipple, and the areola in some cases; however, most of the breast skin is left intact. This procedure may also be followed by sentinel lymph node dissection or axillary lymph node dissection.
- Radical Mastectomy:During a radical mastectomy, the entire breast, the skin of the breast, nipple, and areola are removed. Along with these, the surgeon also removes the chest wall muscles and a few lymph nodes in the underarm region.
How Does Mastectomy Work?
The surgeon separates the breast tissue from the skin and muscle during a mastectomy. The surgeon removes all of the breast tissue visible between the collarbone and ribs, from the side of the body to the breastbone in the center. Your surgeon may remove various sections of the breast depending on the type of mastectomy you’re undergoing.
Mastectomies are usually recommended for following conditions:
- Invasive breast cancer (non-metastatic)
- Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)
- Inflammatory breast cancer
- Paget disease of the breast
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, mastectomy is a safe procedure that supports the effective management of breast cancer. However, like every other surgical procedure, mastectomy also carries certain risks, and they will be clearly explained by your breast cancer surgeon before the procedure.
Yes, mastectomy is effective in managing breast cancer. Upon carefully assessing your condition, your doctor will recommend the right type of mastectomy for you.
- Mastectomy provides greater peace of mind to some patients, as the cancer tissue and the organ are entirely removed, which implies that there are no cancer cells left.
- Mastectomy also helps patients in avoiding radiation therapy in some cases.
Like every other cancer treatment, mastectomy also has a few limitations. However, with the right guidance, you will be able to reduce their impact.
- Mastectomy is a more complex surgery than lumpectomy. The recovery time is lengthy, and it is also associated with certain side effects.
Patients may require additional reconstruction surgeries in order to restore the feminine contour
The patient may require 4 to 6 weeks to recover after a mastectomy. It could take up to three months for the patient to return to normal.
Yes, you can consider breast reconstruction surgery after your mastectomy. You can either undergo immediate reconstruction or delayed reconstruction.
Yes, breast cancer can still recur after mastectomy. Cancer can come back in the tissue that lines your chest wall or in your skin. Therefore, it is important to not miss any of the follow-up appointments after the treatment.
Dr. Satish C is the best surgeon for mastectomy and other breast cancer treatments in Bangalore. He has more than 10 years of experience and has handled more than 2000 cancer cases so far.