The first treatment for breast cancer is usually surgery. Depending on the size and position of your lump, your surgeon may suggest either a lumpectomy or a mastectomy. A lumpectomy is where the lump is removed, usually with some healthy tissue around it. A mastectomy is where the whole of your affected breast is removed. You may be offered surgery to have your breast reconstructed afterwards. With both of these procedures, some lymph nodes may also be removed from your armpit. This is to see whether the cancer has spread. After surgery, you may have other treatments, eg radiotherapy. You will need this if you've had a lumpectomy, but it's less common after mastectomy. These treatments can help to reduce the chance of the cancer coming back or spreading.
Attribution: BUPA
See also:
- Breast cancer
- Radiotherapy for breast cancer
- Chemotherapy for breast cancer
- Hormone therapy for breast cancer
- Biological therapy for breast cancer
- Care after treatment of breast cancer