Breast Cancer Surgery
Surgery is often the first step in treating breast cancer. It is used to remove the tumour from the breast, and to assess the lymph nodes. Surgery alone may cure some breast cancers but it is commonly used in combination with other treatments such as radiation, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy or biological therapy.
There are two types of breast surgery: breast-conserving therapy, also called lumpectomy (removal of a portion of the breast) and mastectomy (removal of the entire breast). Deciding which surgery is best for a patient is an individualized discussion between a patient and the surgeon.
Some women who have surgery as part of their breast cancer treatment may choose to have breast reconstruction surgery to rebuild the shape of the breast, either at the same time as the removal of the breast cancer, or later, after all treatments are completed.
Learn more about Sunnybrook’s Breast Reconstruction Program
