What are the different types of post breast cancer surgery?
After experiencing the tragedy of breast cancer, you may feel like you have no options. Just like many other women, you may feel like you’ve had your womanhood stolen from you and normalcy will never again be a part of your life.
Thankfully, that is not true at all. There are several options for women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer to come out on top. Here is a quick guide that explains some of those options for you. Once the initial surgery is done, visit the plastic surgeon in Las Vegas who is trusted to give women their lives back.
Types of Post Breast Cancer Surgery
There are many different types of breast cancer surgery. The type of surgery you will have depends on the size, location and type of cancer you have in your breasts. Your doctor will recommend which of the following will be the better option for you.
Lumpectomy
This procedure is done to save as much breast tissue as possible. The tumor, a small amount of surrounding tissue, and the neighboring lymph nodes are removed. Often times, the surgery is followed by a cycle of radiation to make sure the cancer is gone.
This may not be a good idea if you have already had radiation or you have tumors in more than one part of the breast. This procedure also may not be effective in women who have large tumors unless you receive a cycle of chemotherapy to shrink the tumor first.
Partial Mastectomy or Quadrantectomy
In this procedure, more tissue is removed than in a lumpectomy. However, not enough tissue is removed for it to be considered a total mastectomy. This treatment is usually followed by radiation as well.
Simple or Total Mastectomy
This procedure is done when the entire breast needs to be removed in order to prevent new cancer from growing. It is considered simple because the lymph nodes are not touched during the procedure.
Radical Mastectomy
This procedure is called radical for a reason. The entire breast and nipple are removed in surgery. The lymph nodes in the armpit and the chest muscles under the breast are also targeted. Recent advances in surgery and science have made it so that this procedure is rarely needed.
Modified Radical Mastectomy
In this isversion of the radical mastectomy, the chest muscles under the breast are not removed. This makes it easier to reconstruct your breast later when you consult with plastic surgeons in Las Vegas NV.
After the Procedure
When everything is said and done, you have one more step ahead of you: get your life back. Breast cancer does not have to be the end of the road for you. There are numerous options for you to pursue that can reconstruct your breasts and many support systems for you to lean on.
Take back your power and your confidence by scheduling a consultation with a Las Vegas plastic surgeon who is board certified. Dr. Reynolds has the vast experience necessary to have you feeling like you again. For more information about breast reconstructions, call 702.410.9800.