Breast Cancer Surgery
Surgery is the most common treatment for breast cancer. You and your doctor will need to decide which type may be best for you and how the surgery will effect you.
Although it may seem obvious that most women would prefer not to undergo mastectomy, some women chose removal of their breast. Occasionally, women even opt to have both breasts removed in order to minimize their anxiety about future breast cancers. While these decisions are understandably a personal choice, it is important to know that breast conserving therapy and mastectomy have the same survival. Do not let yourself be pushed in one direction or another! This is your body and your life, and only you can make the right choice for yourself.
Breast Sparing Surgery
Breast sparing surgery, also called a lumpectomy, attempts to remove the cancer but not the breast. In breast sparing surgery, the surgeon will try to remove the whole mass in the breast and may also remove some lymph nodes under your arm, either by sentinel node procedure or axillary node dissection, as well to see if cancer has begun to spread.
Many women receive radiation after breast sparing surgery so that if there are any remaining microscopic cells they will be destroyed.
Mastectomy
A total, or simple, mastectomy is a surgical procedure that removes as much of the breast tissue as possible. Often, lymph nodes under your armpit will also be removed.
A modified radical mastectomy involves removal of the entire breast, the lymph nodes under the arm, and sometimes, an immediate reconstruction can be done at the time of the mastectomy.
If you have had a mastectomy or expect to have one, you may be entitled to special rights under the Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998. Specifically it deals with obligations on the part of your insurance company, which if it covers mastectomies, must also cover reconstructive surgery.
Your hospital stay will depend on the surgery planned. Mastectomy allows an overnight stay. If you have immediate reconstruction, your hospital stay will be longer depending on the reconstruction being done.
Recovery After Surgery
Recovery varies from woman to woman. Immediately after the surgery, you will feel pain and tenderness at the surgical site. Your doctor will prescribe medicine to minimize the pain.
If you've had a mastectomy, you may feel a little off balance. You might also experience some discomfort in your back and neck and your shoulder and arm muscles will probably feel rather tight. Physical therapy can help you regain strength and movement in these areas. You might consider breast reconstruction after a mastectomy.
Risks
All surgery carries a risk of infection or bleeding. Your doctor will explain the particular risks to you.
Another risk is the possibility of nerves being cut during the operation. This could mean that you might feel some tingling or numbness in your are, shoulder, or chest after the procedure. Often this will subside in a few weeks.
When lymph nodes under the arm are removed, lymph fluid can build up and cause swelling in your arm (link unavailable). To protect your arm avoid putting tight clothing or jewelry on it or carrying a purse on that shoulder. You should also have your blood pressure and any needed shots done on the other arm.
