Should I Have a Lumpectomy or Mastectomy?
Breast Cancer
Should I Have a Lumpectomy or Mastectomy?
Choosing what kind of surgery to have is a very personal choice. “As a breast surgeon, my job is (to help patients) understand that their long-term survival with mastectomy is equivalent to that with lumpectomy and radiation,” says Dr. Sarah Cate, a breast surgeon at Mount Sinai Health System.
Often women will request to have both breasts removed, believing it’s the best way to prevent the cancer from recurring. This is not always the case. The size of the tumor, its genetic markers, and the patient’s family history are all factors to consider when choosing which surgery to undergo.
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
Choosing what kind of surgery to have is a very personal choice. “As a breast surgeon, my job is (to help patients) understand that their long-term survival with mastectomy is equivalent to that with lumpectomy and radiation,” says Dr. Sarah Cate, a breast surgeon at Mount Sinai Health System.
Often women will request to have both breasts removed, believing it’s the best way to prevent the cancer from recurring. This is not always the case. The size of the tumor, its genetic markers, and the patient’s family history are all factors to consider when choosing which surgery to undergo.
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
Treatment: Choosing Your Treatment
Treatment: Early Stages
Treatment: Hormone Treatments
A mastectomy involves removing the breast – a treatment route many patients with breast cancer feel they will have no choice but to undergo. But it’s not the only surgical option.
Treatment: Surgery
A mastectomy involves removing the breast – a treatment route many patients with breast cancer feel they will have no choice but to undergo. But it’s not the only surgical option.
Treatment: Explaining the Options
For patients who do have to have their breasts or a piece of their breasts removed, there are a number of surgical reconstruction options available.
Treatment: Reconstruction
For patients who do have to have their breasts or a piece of their breasts removed, there are a number of surgical reconstruction options available.
Lymphedema is a chronic swelling that can occur after breast cancer surgery and radiation.
Treatment: Lymphedema
Lymphedema is a chronic swelling that can occur after breast cancer surgery and radiation.