Surgical Options
Depending on your tumor, genetic cancer risk, and other factors, you may have a choice of surgical procedures. Explore some of the treatment options at Cone Health.
Mastectomy
A mastectomy removes your entire breast, which can make cancer less likely to return. It can be a double (bilateral) mastectomy or a single mastectomy, depending on whether the surgeon removes one or both breasts. You may be able to receive reconstruction right afterward. So, you won’t have to wait to restore your figure, if you choose to do so.
Nipple-Sparing & Hidden Scar Surgery
Ask your surgeon how to preserve more of your appearance with:
- Nipple-sparing mastectomy—Keeps the nipple and surrounding skin for more natural-looking reconstruction
- Hidden scar surgery—Makes incisions in less noticeable areas, such as under the breast, along the areola, or in the armpit
Lumpectomy
Also called breast-conserving surgery, lumpectomy removes only the tumor and some nearby tissue. You can keep most of your natural breast while effectively treating cancer. Afterward, you may need radiation therapy to kill any remaining cancer cells.
Radioactive Seed Localization
To pinpoint the cancer for removal, a radiologist (imaging doctor) may place a small seed with a tiny amount of radiation into the tumor. During the lumpectomy, your surgeon uses a special probe to detect the seed and tumor. For you, this means:
- More accurate tumor removal
- Smaller incision and scar
- More healthy tissue left alone
You benefit from this technology thanks to our partnership with The Breast Center of Greensboro Imaging and Central Carolina Surgery.
Surgery Helps Us Understand Your Cancer
Surgery sometimes removes lymph nodes, which are near your breasts, so your team can see how far the cancer has spread. This process, called staging, helps your doctors plan treatment that’s tailored to you.
After lymph node removal, you could have lymphedema, or swelling in your arm. So, your surgical team takes the least invasive approach possible. Techniques include sentinel lymph node biopsy and targeted axillary dissection. These approaches remove fewer nodes and reduce the risk of swelling, but still give your doctors information to guide your care.
If you do experience swelling, learn how lymphedema care helps you take control of your symptoms.
Breast Reconstruction
After surgery, plastic surgeons can restore the look and shape of your breasts with one or both of these options:
- Implants—Use silicone or saline to rebuild the breast with a predictable shape and curve
- Tissue flap procedures—Use your own tissue, usually taken from your belly, back, or buttocks, for a more natural feel
Count on our breast reconstruction specialists to listen to your needs and help you make an informed decision.
