Definition In the surgical therapy of breast cancer, a distinction is essentially made between two different methods. The older method is the so-called modified radical mastectomy. In this operation the complete breast (glandular tissue and skin) and, if necessary, the underlying breast muscle is removed. The second and newer method is the breast conservation therapy … Surgery for breast cancer
Procedure of the surgery The operation is performed under general anesthesia and in supine position. Only the affected breast including armpit and head are exposed, the rest is covered. In breast-conserving surgery, an arch-shaped incision is made over the palpable or wire-marked tumor inside the breast. The tumor is then removed with a sufficient safety … Procedure of the surgery | Surgery for breast cancer
Aftercare of the surgery Immediately after the surgery, the patient is transferred to the recovery room, where the after-effects of the anesthesia and surgery can be well observed. Normally, the patient is transferred back to the ward only a few hours later. In the first period after the operation it is also important to observe … Aftercare of the surgery | Surgery for breast cancer
Risks of surgery An operation under general anesthesia always has general risks, which are not discussed here. In the following, only the specific risks of BET (breast-conserving therapy) and the removal of the entire breast are explained. A significant risk in both surgical procedures is the incomplete removal of the tumor. In this case, a … Risks of surgery | Surgery for breast cancer
Healing time The wounds caused by the operation usually heal relatively quickly, so that the stitches can be removed on about the tenth day after the operation. Due to the smaller incisions in BET (breast-conserving therapy), healing can also be faster. Longer healing is possible in patients with wound healing disorders, for example due to … Healing time | Surgery for breast cancer
Pain in the arm In the arm, the pain is caused by the removal of the lymph nodes. Here the pain can occur during wound healing. But there is also the risk that this pain becomes chronic. The removal of the lymph nodes simultaneously injures tiny, sensitive nerves that send a permanent pain stimulus to … Pain in the arm | Surgery for breast cancer
