Surgery for Breast Cancer
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The diagnosis of breast cancer brings about many fears and concerns, which all of us at Samaritan Regional Health System understand and address in a compassionate manner. We want you to remember that cancer is a word, not a sentence. There are many treatment options available, including surgery, chemotherapy and radiation.
Since surgery is often the first line of attack against breast cancer, your physician will refer you to one of Samaritan’s highly qualified surgeons, Dr. Harpreet Brar, Dr. Mary MacDonald or Dr. Adam Martin.
Together, you and your surgeon will determine what surgery will be best for you, taking into consideration the stage of your breast cancer and the aggressiveness of the cancer.
Surgery options at Samaritan Hospital include mastectomy, lumpectomy, lymph node removal, prophylactic mastectomy, and prophylactic ovary removal.
If you and your surgeon feel a lumpectomy will meet your needs, your surgeon will remove only the tumor and a small amount of surrounding tissue, leaving the breast intact. This procedure is also referred to as breast-conserving surgery.
With a mastectomy, all of the breast tissue is removed, but the muscles under the breast are left untouched, making the procedure more refined than in the past. You may or may not wish to undergo breast reconstruction, where the breast is rebuilt. This procedure is currently not performed at Samaritan Hospital, but can be done months to years after a mastectomy. Whatever you choose, you must be comfortable with your decision, keeping in mind some patients opt for breast prosthesis. Take some time to consider your options, and engage your surgeon in informative discussions.
If the cancer has spread outside the milk duct, your surgeon will perform a lymph node removal during your lumpectomy or mastectomy. A biopsy will dictate the necessity of this procedure. A less invasive procedure known as sentinel lymph node dissection might be an option available to you.
Prevention is extremely important for our high risk patients. There are two surgical options available to you, easing your peace of mind. Your breast can be removed in a prophylactic mastectomy, which lowers the risk of developing breast cancer. Prophylactic ovary removal is a preventive surgery that lowers the amount of estrogen in the body. This makes is harder for estrogen to stimulate the development of breast cancer.
The surgical staff at Samaritan Hospital has assisted Drs. Brar, MacDonald and Martin in numerous cases, making Samaritan Regional Health System your first choice when fighting the battle of your life. Our caring, supportive environment makes all of the difference in the world.
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*Inclusion on this list does not imply endorsement by Samaritan Regional Health System.
