Breast Lumpectomy
This surgery involves removing the cancerous area of the breast plus a surrounding area of noncancerous breast tissue. Every attempt is made to preserve breast shape and size. This approach is appropriate for most small breast cancers and some larger breast cancers. It is accompanied by removal of a portion of the lymph glands under the arm, where breast cancer tends to spread first. After healing is complete, radiation treatment is given to the remaining breast tissue to minimize the chance of recurrence.
Radiation treatments are performed using the linear accelerators at the hospital. The linear accelerator delivers radiation in a much more precise and controlled fashion than the older cobalt units that were previously used. Lumpectomy is one of the most popular current surgical treatment plans for breast cancer. The lumpectomy procedure is usually done with an overnight stay, but can be done as an outpatient. Average recovery time is one week.
Mastectomy
This operation has been available in a number of forms for at least 100 years. It has been modified so that currently the operation removes only the nipple and a small amount of surrounding skin along with all the underlying breast tissue. Additionally, some lymph glands under the arm are removed. No muscles are affected and rarely are there any side effects that were often seen with some of the older forms of mastectomy. Seldom is radiation required.
This operation is used often for very large or extensive tumors, or for people unwilling or unable to accept the requirements of a proper lumpectomy treatment plan such as radiation therapy. This surgery is also usually done with an overnight hospital stay, but can be done as an outpatient. Average recovery time is 7 to 10 days. Older forms of mastectomy, such as radical mastectomy, which involves the removal of a large amount of tissue and chest muscle are only rarely performed. Radical mastectomies are rarely indicated and rarely utilized.
Post-Mastectomy Reconstruction
For patients who wish or require mastectomy, our group has developed an association with the Plastic Surgery Department at Indiana University. This allows all forms of breast reconstruction to be available locally.
The Plastic Surgeons come to our office regularly and coordinate these surgeries with us so that the Plastic Surgeon can perform the breast reconstruction at the same time as a mastectomy or at a later time, if needed. All the most sophisticated forms of breast reconstruction are available. These procedures are done on an inpatient setting, with hospitalization averaging two to five days depending on the type of procedure performed. Recovery averages from two to six weeks for full recovery, again depending on the exact procedure performed.
Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy
Within the last two years, surgeons have developed a surgical technique to reliably identify the specific lymph nodes draining the area of the breast where a cancer arose. These lymph nodes can be precisely identified and removed by an injection of a radioactive tracer and a blue dye in the area of the cancer just before surgery. These lymph nodes bear a great deal of prognostic significance, but until now were difficult to locate with precision. The lymph nodes located with this cutting edge technique then undergo extra special microscopic testing to determine, with the highest possible accuracy, the stage of the breast cancer.
This staging process helps determine the likelihood that an individual patients cancer cells have begun to spread. This allows the breast cancer team to develop the most accurate recommendations for treatment that fits the patient's situation. In some situations, sentinel lymph node removal will suffice for the more the standard partial axillary lymph node removal. This very new and exciting procedure is available through our breast surgeons. It is integrated into our team approach with our radiologists, pathologists, radiation oncologists and medical oncologists.
General Surgery
To Make an Appointment Call: (425) 259-3181
3216 Norton Ave, Suite 202 • Everett, WA 98201
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