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Major Forms of Surgery
Introduction
Breast cancer can be treated by a variety of methods, all of
which include some form of surgery. There are various
stages of cancer with treatment determined by stage of
development. According to the National Cancer Institute,
there are four types of surgical procedures used against breast
cancer. The latest procedures combine lesser surgery with
chemotherapy, hormonal therapy and/or radiation therapy.
Standard Radical Mastectomy
The standard
"radical" (Halsted radical) mastectomy is the oldest and is less
frequently used today. In a radical mastectomy, the entire
breast is removed along with the chest muscles under the breast
and all the underarm lymph nodes. This surgery leaves a
hollow chest area which can be extremely traumatic for the
individual.
Modified Radical Mastectomy
The modified radical
mastectomy removes the breast, underarm lymph nodes and the
lining over the chest muscles. This is the most common
treatment of early stage breast cancer.
Simple Mastectomy
A simple mastectomy
removes the breast only. Sometimes a few underarm lymph
nodes closest to the breast are taken. This procedure may
be followed by radiation therapy.
Partial or Segmental Mastectomy
A partial or
segmental mastectomy removes the tumor, a wedge of normal tissue
surrounding it, some skin and the lining of the chest muscle.
Some surgeons also remove some or all of the underarm lymph
nodes. A Lumpectomy falls into this partial category as
well. The surgeon removes only the breast tumor or lump,
which is followed by radiation therapy. Possible removal
of underarm lymph nodes for testing also may be performed.
Lumpectomies are, on an average, approximately 25% of all
mastectomy procedures used in stage I and II.
 
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