For women that suffer from breast cancer, the best way to recover is to go for breast surgery. This is the only way in which cancerous tumors can be removed. The options available are numerous, among them mastectomy and breast-conserving surgeries. Surgeons can reconstruct breasts during the surgical procedure, or do it afterwards. Surgeries will also be used to check lymph nodes to ensure there is no spread of the cells. The two options of doing this are axillary dissection and sentinel lymph node biopsy.
Breast conserving surgeries are also known as partial mastectomy. Parts of the breasts that are affected are removed. The size that is removed will depend on location and size of tumors plus various other factors. In the event that radiation therapy is to be given after the procedure, there is placement of small metal clips inside the breasts. These are used for marking areas for radiation treatments. The small metallic clips will always show in x-rays.
In lumpectomy, there is removal of only the lumps in breasts plus the surrounding margins of normal tissue. It is after lumpectomy that radiation therapy is given. There are instances when adjuvant chemotherapy is to be given also. If this be the case, then radiation would have to be delayed until completion of chemotherapy.
In quadrantectomy, more tissue is removed than is done in lumpectomy. One quarter of affected breasts are removed, which explains why it is called quadrantectomy. Radiation therapy is done after the procedure is completed. However, just like is the case in lumpectomy, if chemotherapy is to be done then radiation would have to be scheduled after that.
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.
In the event that large portions of breasts are removed, their shape is bound to be considerably affected. This will make them look not only different but also unsymmetrical. This will call for reconstructive surgery. Alternatively, there are instances when unaffected breasts get reduced in size so that symmetry is achieved. Such reduction can be done during the first surgical procedure.
Breast surgery will require that the patient holds a meeting beforehand with the surgeon or doctor so that they know what the breasts will look like after the procedure. Options of dealing with shape changes will also be explored. It makes patients to approach the procedure with more confidence.
Breast conserving surgeries are also known as partial mastectomy. Parts of the breasts that are affected are removed. The size that is removed will depend on location and size of tumors plus various other factors. In the event that radiation therapy is to be given after the procedure, there is placement of small metal clips inside the breasts. These are used for marking areas for radiation treatments. The small metallic clips will always show in x-rays.
In lumpectomy, there is removal of only the lumps in breasts plus the surrounding margins of normal tissue. It is after lumpectomy that radiation therapy is given. There are instances when adjuvant chemotherapy is to be given also. If this be the case, then radiation would have to be delayed until completion of chemotherapy.
In quadrantectomy, more tissue is removed than is done in lumpectomy. One quarter of affected breasts are removed, which explains why it is called quadrantectomy. Radiation therapy is done after the procedure is completed. However, just like is the case in lumpectomy, if chemotherapy is to be done then radiation would have to be scheduled after that.
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.
In the event that large portions of breasts are removed, their shape is bound to be considerably affected. This will make them look not only different but also unsymmetrical. This will call for reconstructive surgery. Alternatively, there are instances when unaffected breasts get reduced in size so that symmetry is achieved. Such reduction can be done during the first surgical procedure.
Breast surgery will require that the patient holds a meeting beforehand with the surgeon or doctor so that they know what the breasts will look like after the procedure. Options of dealing with shape changes will also be explored. It makes patients to approach the procedure with more confidence.
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