Treatment of Breast Cancer: Surgery and Chemotherapy
Surgery and chemotherapy are the options of treatment of breast cancer. Removal of affected breast by surgery is known as mastectomy. Surgery is performed only after a positive biopsy. Chemotherapy is prescribed at more advanced stages of the disease.
What is a mastectomy
A mastectomy is a breast removal
operation. Over the years, there have been many points of view propounded
regarding the extent of surgery required.
The classical procedure was known
as a radical mastectomy in which the entire affected breast, the chest
muscles underneath, and the lymph nodes under the arm are removed. Most
surgeons now agree that this is necessary only in rare cases. The standard
operation for most breast cancers is now the modified radical mastectomy
or the total mastectomy. In this procedure, the chest wall muscles are
not removed. The simple mastectomy involves the complete removal
of the breast, but not the lymph nodes under the arms or the chest wall
muscles.
What is lumpectomy
Lumpectomy, otherwise known as a
segmental mastectomy, involves the local removal of the tumor. In this
procedure, only a portion of the breast is removed, including the cancer
and a surrounding margin of breast tissue.
Lumpectomy accompanied by removal
of the underarm lymph nodes coupled with subsequent radiation therapy is
the popular alternative to a modified radical mastectomy. Radiation therapy
is used after surgery to eliminate any cancer cells that may remain.
When should you undergo
surgery
Surgery can be performed immediately
after a positive biopsy so that the patient can avoid having to undergo
a second round of anaesthesia and another surgery. Nowadays, the trend
is to have two separate surgeries so that the women have time to evaluate
their treatment options and seek a second opinion if they so desire.
What is adjuvant therapy
(chemotherapy)
This treatment involves the use of
chemotherapy (anti-cancer drugs) and hormone therapy. The role of adjuvant
therapy is the subject of much debate. This treatment is usually prescribed
at more advanced stages of the disease. In the future, the use of early
chemotherapy and hormone therapy may be an important factor in reducing
the death rate from this disease.
Name:
patient
Country: India
i have been detected a lump in my right breast which is fairly large in size, two months before. dr. has advised to go for biopsy after getting the lump removed by surgery. though it seems to be benign. can it be removed without surgery , if possible by homeopathy. has anyone gone thr' any case of its curing without surgery.
Name:
kam
Country: India
i had a lump in my nipple , which secrets blood and some other fluid..
wats the reason for it..
Name:
Vinita
Country: India
my breasts became very small. i am worry about it. what is a cause?
Name:
g
Country: India
my left breast is slightly bigger than my right breast.. wat is the problem with me? please help.. do i have a breast cancer? do i have to worry?
Name:
cre
Country: malaysia
i need to study about breast cancer.. careful..
Name:
gita
Country: usa
i was diagnosed with breast cancer 14 years ago at the age of 37. i am doing fine thanks to god and early detection. so please get screened. it really saves lives.
Name:
plunko
Country: australia
it herts
Name:
fiza
Country: malaysia
breast cancer very dangerous. from it you can die. you must get checkups to avoid it.
Name:
babitha
Country: india
i have a daughter who is 3 yrs old.i breast feeded her for 7 months.but there is still some milk secretion in my breasts.will i get cancer
Name:
Sharon
Country: usa
it is very important to get a second or even a third opion.i had my brest removed several years ago. the doctor said that my lump had cancer tenducies. so he said the best thing to do was to have my breast removed. and to have kemo as well. at the time i was going through a seperation and was confused and frightened. but it all was done and after all the test came back it was determaned that i didn't have cancer. so make sure you have many oppinions.
Name:
Jo Jo
Country: zambia
its funny
Name:
ashley
Country: hongkong
you can die from it.
Name:
Shea
Country: usa
i'm doing a report on breast cancer for my sixth grade class and so far on my reaserch it's a very sirious case.
Name:
Michelle
Country: usa
breast cancer isn't anything to joke about my mother had it and it wasn't very pretty. breast cancer is very common and if you go get checkups on it and to see if you have it you should be fine.
Name:
Meenakshi
Country: india
breast cancer is very common these days. its very important to go for regualr checkups to avoid it or atleast diagnose it in its first stage itself.
