Surgical options

Surgical removal of the tumor is an essential step in treating breast cancer, as is examination of the tumor tissue to come to a decision about treatment options. Either the whole breast can be removed in a procedure called mastectomy, or the tumor alone can be excised and the rest of the breast conserved, usually in a procedure called lumpectomy. Surgical removal of at least some of the lymph nodes from the underarm is also generally done to determine whether the cancer has spread to the nodes. In addition, many women choose to have reconstructive surgery to create a new breast form after mastectomy.

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This section discusses:

• Some factors to consider when weighing lumpectomy versus mastectomy
• Breast-conserving surgeries (lumpectomy and partial or segmental mastectomy)
• Simple or total mastectomy
• Modified radical mastectomy
• Skin-sparing mastectomy
• Axillary dissection
• Breast reconstruction