Types Of Surgeries In The Treatment Of Breast Cancer

Surgery as part of the treatment of breast cancer is used in most women with this pathology. The types of surgeries in the treatment of breast cancer, as well as for its prevention, have undergone important changes in recent years. The reason for this was changes in the knowledge of tumor biology.

There are different types of surgery in the treatment of breast cancer that adapt to each situation. Regarding the objectives of these surgical techniques we can mention:

• Eliminate all malignant cells: by excising the tumor it is intended that no remains remain. To do this, a choice is made between breast-conserving surgery or a mastectomy.
• Find out if the cancer has spread to the axillary lymph nodes: To achieve this goal, a sentinel node biopsy or axillary lymph node dissection is performed.
• Restore the shape of the breast after removing the tumor: the technique used is the reconstruction of the breast.

• Reduce symptoms: this in the case in which the patient suffers from advanced breast cancer.

What are the two types of breast cancer surgery?

Two main types of surgery can be distinguished in the treatment of breast cancer: conservative surgery and breast resection. In turn, these two large groups encompass other surgical techniques that we will see throughout the article.

Conservative surgery

These are types of surgeries in the treatment of breast cancer that are based on the removal of the part affected by the cancer. Therefore, the goal is to remove the tumor and surrounding tissue.

As for the amount that is removed, it will depend on where and how large the tumor is, as well as other factors that have to do with the patient’s condition. Among the options for conservative surgery we can find:

• Lumpectomy or lumpectomy : this surgical technique consists exclusively in the removal of the tumor.

• Partial mastectomy : In addition to removing the tumor, lymph nodes are also removed from under the arm.

Breast resection

Although many people know this type of breast surgery as a mastectomy, the name is not entirely accurate. It is necessary to mention that within the mastectomies there are different types, so it would be more correct to use the term breast resection.

These are different types of surgeries that aim to remove the entire breast. This includes all of the breast tissue and sometimes other nearby tissues.

Let’s see the different types of mastectomies there are:

• Total (simple) mastectomy : consists of removing the entire breast. Some lymph nodes under the arm may also be removed.

• Modified radical mastectomy : This operation removes the breast, most or all of the lymph nodes under the arm, and the lining of the chest muscles. Sometimes the surgeon also removes part of the chest wall muscles.
• Halsted radical mastectomy : This breast cancer surgery involves removing the entire breast, the chest muscles, and all the lymph nodes under the arm. It has been the technique of choice for surgeons for many years. However, at present, it is the least used due to the great advances that have been carried out. This type of surgery should only be considered when the tumor has spread through the chest muscles.

Conclution

The oncologist will recommend one or the other surgery depending on the characteristics of the tumor and the medical history. However, the last word is up to the patient, and they are sometimes asked to choose the type of surgery they want to undergo.

For this reason, it is extremely important that we are always informed of all the options that exist, as well as what it consists of, what are the risks and what are the benefits. Advances in oncology provide the opportunity to preserve more and more healthy tissue with little chance of recurrence.