Breast surgery is often the solution to women that have breast cancer. It is through the surgical operation that the tumors can be removed. There are various options, including breast-conserving surgery and mastectomy. There is the option of reconstructing the breasts at the same time as the surgical procedure or later on. The surgical operation is also used for checking the lymph nodes under the arm so that there is no spread of the disease. This can be done through either sentinel lymph node biopsy or axillary dissection.
Surgeries for breast conservation are also known as partial mastectomy. It involves getting rid of parts of breasts that have cancerous cells. The size of portions removed will be dependent on size and location of the tumors. There are instances when radiation therapy would have to be given after surgical operation, in which case surgeons will place small metallic chips within the breasts. The function of these is to mark areas that will undergo treatments through radiation. The chips will show in x-rays.
During the procedure known as lumpectomy, the lumps in breasts are removed, in addition to the margins in the surroundings. The margins consist of normal tissue. Radiation treatments are scheduled after lumpectomy. If in any case adjuvant chemotherapy is to be given, then surgeons will delay radiation therapy until after chemotherapy.
Quadrantectomy involves removal of more tissue than is the case in lumpectomy. In this procedure, there is removal of one quarter of the breast, hence the name. It is after the surgical procedure is completed that radiation is done. Just like in lumpectomy, radiation would have to be delayed if chemotherapy was to be given as well.
If in any case cancerous cells are present at edges of removed tissues, they will be known as positive margins. On the other hand, lack of these cells at the margins makes them be referred to as negative margins. Having positive margins implies that more cancerous cells are still present and the surgeon would have to remove more tissues in a process known as re-excision. In more serious cases, the margins cannot be cleared of the cells through removal of tissues. In such cases, more advanced procedures will be required, notably mastectomy.
Discussion of the possible side effects with the surgeon or doctor beforehand is highly recommended. The side effects that can be experienced include tenderness, pain, temporary swelling and development of hard scar tissues. Bleeding is also a possibility, just like is the case with any surgical procedure. These should be known before going for the procedure.
Removing large portions of breasts will make it likely that there will be some change in their shape. Whenever breasts look very different after surgical procedures, then reconstructive surgeries will be required. On the other hand, the unaffected breast may have to be reduced in size to achieve symmetry. This can possibly be done even during the initial surgical procedure.
When considering breast surgery, it is essential to meet the doctor or plastic surgeon beforehand so as to have an idea of how breasts will appear after the procedure. It is then that one may discuss options that are available for correcting any anomaly. Patients will be more confident.
Surgeries for breast conservation are also known as partial mastectomy. It involves getting rid of parts of breasts that have cancerous cells. The size of portions removed will be dependent on size and location of the tumors. There are instances when radiation therapy would have to be given after surgical operation, in which case surgeons will place small metallic chips within the breasts. The function of these is to mark areas that will undergo treatments through radiation. The chips will show in x-rays.
During the procedure known as lumpectomy, the lumps in breasts are removed, in addition to the margins in the surroundings. The margins consist of normal tissue. Radiation treatments are scheduled after lumpectomy. If in any case adjuvant chemotherapy is to be given, then surgeons will delay radiation therapy until after chemotherapy.
Quadrantectomy involves removal of more tissue than is the case in lumpectomy. In this procedure, there is removal of one quarter of the breast, hence the name. It is after the surgical procedure is completed that radiation is done. Just like in lumpectomy, radiation would have to be delayed if chemotherapy was to be given as well.
If in any case cancerous cells are present at edges of removed tissues, they will be known as positive margins. On the other hand, lack of these cells at the margins makes them be referred to as negative margins. Having positive margins implies that more cancerous cells are still present and the surgeon would have to remove more tissues in a process known as re-excision. In more serious cases, the margins cannot be cleared of the cells through removal of tissues. In such cases, more advanced procedures will be required, notably mastectomy.
Discussion of the possible side effects with the surgeon or doctor beforehand is highly recommended. The side effects that can be experienced include tenderness, pain, temporary swelling and development of hard scar tissues. Bleeding is also a possibility, just like is the case with any surgical procedure. These should be known before going for the procedure.
Removing large portions of breasts will make it likely that there will be some change in their shape. Whenever breasts look very different after surgical procedures, then reconstructive surgeries will be required. On the other hand, the unaffected breast may have to be reduced in size to achieve symmetry. This can possibly be done even during the initial surgical procedure.
When considering breast surgery, it is essential to meet the doctor or plastic surgeon beforehand so as to have an idea of how breasts will appear after the procedure. It is then that one may discuss options that are available for correcting any anomaly. Patients will be more confident.
0 comments:
Post a Comment