Breast Surgery

Breast surgery can address multiple issues including non-cancerous growths, nipple discharge, or cancer. 

The most common form of treatment for breast cancer is surgery to remove the breast tumor. Some patients with breast cancer may have chemotherapy first to shrink the tumor. By making the breast tumor smaller, patients may have the option of breast-conserving surgery or lumpectomy instead of a mastectomy.

I understand how difficult having breast cancer is and will walk with you through the entire process, keeping your goals and priorities at the forefront of your treatment. We are sensitive to each patient’s feelings and needs and work closely with you for the best possible surgical outcome.

Most abnormalities in the breast are found on physical exam, mammogram, or ultrasound. If you need a biopsy, it is often performed at Montrose Memorial Hospital by a radiologist under imaging guidance.  Many benign, non-cancerous growths do not require surgery. These include fibroadenomas and cysts. If it is a growing lesion or painful, a small lumpectomy can remove the lesion, often with cosmetic results.

If a mastectomy is determined to be the best surgical option for a cure, the breast can be reconstructed at the same time as surgery or at a later time. 

Surgery is also used to check the lymph nodes under the arm for cancer. Options for this include a sentinel lymph node biopsy which removes 1-4 lymph nodes or an axillary (armpit) lymph node dissection which removed 10-30 lymph nodes.