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Patient Appointment Center Hours: 7 a. Monday - Friday; 8 a. Bilateral Mastectomy for Breast Cancer Facebook. For all breast-related conditions, our full-service breast clinic offers the latest treatment options, including: Lumpectomy Unilateral and bilateral mastectomy Chemotherapy Radiation therapy Hormone therapy Targeted drug therapy At the Moffitt Cancer Center, Richard M.
Medically reviewed by Dr. One option may be to have the reconstruction done immediately after your mastectomy, while you're still anesthetized. Breast reconstruction is a complex procedure performed by a plastic surgeon, also called a reconstructive surgeon. If you're planning breast reconstruction at the same time as a mastectomy, you'll meet with the plastic surgeon before the surgery.
You'll be given instructions about any restrictions before surgery and other things you need to know, including:. Sentinel node biopsy identifies the first few lymph nodes into which a tumor drains. The surgeon uses a harmless dye and a weak radioactive solution to locate the sentinel nodes.
The nodes are removed and tested for signs of cancer. A mastectomy is an umbrella term used for several techniques to remove one or both breasts. In addition, the surgeon may also remove nearby lymph nodes to determine whether the cancer has spread.
During an axillary node dissection, the surgeon removes a number of lymph nodes from your armpit on the side of the tumor. In a sentinel lymph node biopsy, your surgeon removes only the first few nodes into which a tumor drains sentinel nodes. Lymph nodes removed during a mastectomy are then tested for cancer. If no cancer is present, no further lymph nodes need be removed. If cancer is present, the surgeon will discuss options, such as radiation to your armpit. If this is what you decide to do, no further lymph nodes will need to be removed.
Removing all of the breast tissue and most of the lymph nodes is called a modified radical mastectomy. Newer mastectomy techniques remove less tissue and fewer lymph nodes. Skin-sparing mastectomy. A skin-sparing mastectomy involves removal of all the breast tissue, nipple and areola, but not the breast skin.
A sentinel lymph node biopsy also may be done. Breast reconstruction can be performed immediately after the mastectomy. Your doctor or nurse will tell you when to arrive at the hospital. A mastectomy without reconstruction usually takes one to three hours. The surgery is often done as an outpatient procedure, and most people go home on the same day of the operation.
If you're having both breasts removed a double mastectomy , expect to spend more time in surgery and possibly an additional day in the hospital. If you're having breast reconstruction following a mastectomy, the procedure also takes longer and you may stay in the hospital for a few additional days. If you're having a sentinel node biopsy, before your surgery a radioactive tracer and a blue dye are injected into the area around the tumor or the skin above the tumor.
The tracer and the dye travel to the sentinel node or nodes, allowing your doctor to see where they are and remove them during surgery. It usually requires a short hospital stay and a longer recovery time that may take a few weeks to several weeks, depending on the circumstances. An oncologist carefully evaluates a double mastectomy as a treatment option by comparing it to the benefits and risks of other breast-conserving surgeries.
Many people with early-stage cancer can choose between breast-conserving surgery or mastectomy. Studies show that, for them, opting for mastectomy or breast-conserving surgery plus radiation therapy has similar outcomes. Breast reconstruction can be done at the same time as the mastectomy or at any later time. Many women also opt not to have reconstruction. This includes the skin, nipple and areola. Sometimes that also includes the lymph nodes from under the arm. The doctor may also remove the pectoral muscles, located under the breasts.
As part of the surgery, the surgeon will remove breast tissue and insert one or two tubes for fluid to drain into from an attached soft-rubber ball. Sometimes breast reconstruction is performed at the same time as a mastectomy.
You can expect temporary soreness in your chest, underarm and shoulder, as well as possible numbness across your chest that may be permanent. The surgical drains that were inserted inside your breast area during surgery typically stay in for about one week to 10 days.
While recovering from surgery, most people have some pain. Recovery times vary depending on the specifics of your double mastectomy. The side effects you experience after a double mastectomy depend a lot on how complex the surgery is. Your breasts will likely look different than they did before surgery, including having new scars or being a different size or shape.
If you notice a rash, inform your care team right away. In some cases, it may be a sign of cancer recurrence. Some women may need additional treatment after a double mastectomy to further prevent cancer from coming back. Author: Healthwise Staff. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information.
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Updated visitor guidelines. Top of the page. Topic Overview For years, studies have shown that for early-stage breast cancer, women who have breast-conserving surgery lumpectomy followed by radiation treatments live just as long as women who have mastectomy. What do experts say about bilateral mastectomy? This is because: Women who have both breasts removed do not live longer than women who have lumpectomy plus radiation treatments. It does not reduce the risk of a new cancer in another part of the body.
When is bilateral mastectomy recommended? Why do some women who are not at very high risk choose bilateral mastectomy? Women may have personal reasons for choosing to remove both breasts.
These may include: Fear of having a new cancer in the healthy breast. Even though this risk is low, any risk may feel too great. Avoiding the stress of future mammograms or breast MRIs.
There is no need for these tests if both breasts are removed. But regular follow-up is needed to watch for a new cancer in other parts of the body. Wanting their breasts to match. It may be hard to make a reconstructed breast look like the natural breast.
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