A mastectomy is a medical term for breast removal surgery. Medical experts like an oncologist may recommend a mastectomy if you’reat risk of breast cancer (to prevent it) or have breast cancer. Other tissues around the breast, such as lymph nodes, may also be removed. For effective breast cancer care, visit the leading cancer treatment hospital in Siliguri City.
So, this form of breast cancer surgery removesall of the breast tissue from one or both of your breasts. This can be the best treatment for breast cancer as itremoves the cancer cells from your body, which will also prevent the disease from spreading to other parts of your body.
You can make better decisions if you have a thorough understanding of the surgery, its types, the healing process, and its emotional aspects.
Knowing the Types of Mastectomy – Let’s Explain
Depending on how much tissue your surgeon has toremove, mastectomy is known by a variety of names, including:
- Lumpectomy. A partial mastectomy, often known as a lumpectomy, removes a single tumour, or "lump," from your breast along with a border of good tissue. In the early phases of breast cancer treatment, a lumpectomy is often effective.
- Complete mastectomy (simple mastectomy): This breast surgery removes all of the breast tissue while leaving your pectoral muscles intact. Here, the surgeon may remove one or both breasts to treat breast cancer.
- Radical Mastectomy: All of your breast tissue, lymph nodes beneath your arms, and pectoral muscles are removed during this type of mastectomy. If cancer has progressed to your muscles, radical mastectomy can be advised.
- Bilateral Mastectomy: Also known as a double mastectomy, a bilateral mastectomy or breast surgery involves completely removing both breasts. If you have cancer in both breasts or are at a high risk of developing cancer in both breasts, your cancer surgeon may advise this surgery.
- Skin-sparing or Nipple-sparing Mastectomy: This type of breast surgery or mastectomy removes breast tissue while leaving the skin and/or nipple intact for use in breast reconstruction (after mastectomy).
- Mastectomy with Breast Reconstruction: You might be eligible to undergo breast reconstruction surgery at the same time. Your surgeon will decide on this based on your disease and treatment strategy. Nipple and areola reconstruction may be part of your breast reconstruction surgery.
Meet your doctor at the top cancer hospital in Siliguri, where you can consult Dr. Saptarshi Ghosh.
The Process of Mastectomy
Under general anesthesia, mastectomy usually takes two to three hours. The affected breast tissue is removed by a surgeon, and occasionally lymph nodes are removed as well. If breast reconstruction is planned, your surgeon might carryit out right away or as a different process.
To get intravenous fluids, you will have a catheter in your vein and a tube to aid in breathing. After that, your surgeon will clean and sterilize the surgical site and administer antibiotics to you via IV to avoid infections.
You will have an incision made in your breast by your surgeon. The kind of mastectomy you undergo will determine the kind of cut that takes place. We'll carefully cut away and remove the underlying tissue.If the cancer has spread, they could remove more tissue, including nipple and areola.
One or more lymph nodes in your underarm may be removed by your surgeon. Your cancer surgeon may perform axillary lymph node dissection to remove all the lymph nodes from your underarm.
The type of mastectomy and if you will have breast reconstruction surgery during the treatment can tell about the duration of the mastectomy. A partial mastectomy or lumpectomy, typically takes an hour, while a complete mastectomy might take longer.
Recovery and Care Following Surgery
Each patient's recovery following a mastectomy is unique but often involves:
Hospital Stay: While some patients may stay for a day or two, others can return home the same day.
Pain Management: To control discomfort, your doctor may give medications or palliative support.
Activity Restrictions: Avoid all types of intense activities and heavy lifting for a few weeks (follow as advised).
If you or a loved one is considering breast surgery or mastectomy, remember doctors are there to help you. Support groups, medical professionals, and resources are available to guide you through this journey. See your cancer specialist at the best cancer treatment hospital in Siliguri City.
