Surgical Treatments

Surgery is the most important method for controlling breast cancer without threatening the patient's life. Today, there are various surgical procedures performed for this purpose. In addition, partial or complete removal of the cancerous area improves the aesthetic appearance of the breast. Restorative surgeries are also performed to restore the breast tissue.

Breast-Sparing Surgery

• Breast-Conserving Surgery
• Risk-Reducing Surgery
• Mastectomy
• Breast Reconstruction (Repair)

Axillary Surgery

• Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy (SLNB) and Axillary Lymph Node Removal

 Operative Technique

Both breast-conserving surgery and mastectomy are performed under general anesthesia. These surgeries, including the removal of the axillary lymph nodes, take 1-2 hours. This time is slightly longer in cases where reconstruction is performed simultaneously.

The skin incision is crucial in breast-conserving surgery; an incision is preferred if the cosmetic result is considered optimal. Two separate skin incisions are often made to remove the tumor and the axillary lymph nodes.

In a mastectomy, an elliptical incision is made, encompassing the nipple and the surrounding dark area (areola), and all breast tissue is removed.

A skin-sparing mastectomy may be performed in patients undergoing breast reconstruction along with a mastectomy. In this procedure, most of the skin covering the breast is preserved.

After the surgery, drains are placed in the armpit and the surgical area to prevent fluid accumulation (seroma) in this area. These drains are usually removed within 5-7 days.

When is Surgery Required?

Surgery is the first choice for early-stage breast cancer. In this procedure, the breast tumor is removed from the breast tissue, leaving a clear area around it, or the entire breast is removed. In addition, some lymph nodes are removed to determine whether the tumor has spread to the armpit. Surgery primarily determines the stage of the disease. Depending on the stage of the disease, it determines which additional treatments (radiotherapy, hormone therapy, chemotherapy) are necessary.

Advances in surgical treatment and advancements in additional treatments now allow excellent results to be achieved in many patients.

Should the Entire Breast Be Removed?

Until recently, the procedure was generally performed by removing the entire breast. It was generally accepted that the only option for surgery was to completely remove the axillary lymph nodes along with the removal of the breast. In modern terms, if diagnosed early, this procedure is performed in far fewer patients.

It is now possible to remove only the tumor and then preserve the breast with radiation therapy in one in two patients. It is clinically accepted that in suitable patients, there is no significant difference between breast-conserving treatment and complete breast removal.