Breast Cancer Surgery

The majority of patients with breast cancer undergo surgery to remove the cancer.

• Breast-conserving surgery: it involves removing the cancer as well as some normal tissue around it, but not the breast itself. If the cancer is close to the chest wall lining, it may be removed as well. This procedure is also known as a lumpectomy, a partial mastectomy, a segmental mastectomy, a quadrantectomy, or breast-sparing surgery.
• Total mastectomy: Surgery to remove the entire cancerous breast. This is also known as a simple mastectomy. Some lymph nodes beneath the arm may be removed and examined for cancer. This can be done concurrently with or after breast surgery. This is accomplished through a separate incision.
• Modified radical mastectomy: Surgery to remove the cancerous breast in its entirety. The nipple, areola (the dark-colored skin around the nipple), and skin over the breast may be removed. The majority of the lymph nodes beneath the arm are also removed.