Types of Surgery to remove Breast Cancer


Breast cancer starts when cells in the breast begin to grow out of control. These cells usually form a tumour that can often be seen on an x-ray or felt as a Lump. Breast cancers can start from different parts of the breast and can spread throughout the body. It’s also important to understand that most breast lumps are not cancerous, they are benign. Breast cancer can spread when the cancer cells get into the blood or lymph system and are carried to other parts of the body.

Any breast lump or change needs to be checked by a health care provider to determine whether it is benign or cancer.

There are two main types of surgery to remove breast cancer:

             Breast-conserving surgery (also called a lumpectomy, quadrantectomy, partial mastectomy, or segmental mastectomy) – in which only the part of the breast containing the cancer is removed. The goal is to remove the cancer as well as some surrounding normal tissue. How much of the breast is removed depends on the size and location of the tumour and other factors.

             Mastectomy– in which the entire breast is removed, including all of the breast tissue and sometimes other nearby tissues. There are several different types of mastectomies. Some women may also get a double mastectomy, in which both breasts are removed.

Breast reconstruction after surgery: After having a mastectomy (or some breast-conserving surgeries), a woman might want to consider having the breast mound rebuilt to restore the breast’s appearance after surgery. This is called Breast Reconstruction.

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