Breast-Preserving Cancer Surgery

One of the most important reason why breast cancer patients refuse mastectomy or decide late for the operation is the notion that one has to part with a very sentimental organ if ones body( especially female).

Mastectomy can be likened to limb amputation. There is a lot if emotions involved in dealing with diseases that require radical removal of organs that shape the individual personality.

It is not a common knowledge to most people that some breast patients may not need a complete(total) mastectomy.

Some patients are suitable to undergo a Partial Mastectomy/Quadrantectomy preserving some portion of the breast.

Patients with small primary tumour located in the outer portion if a big breast is most suitable for Breast-Preserving Cancer Surgery.

This picture is showing skin markings surrounding a small primary breast cancer located in the upper outer quadrant of a large breast.

This picture shows the portion if the breast removed together with the axillary tissues.

The picture shows the specimen cut open demonstrating the small tumour in the centre(the whitish tIssue) surrounded by normal breast tissues.

The picture shows the remaining breast being reconstructed at the end of the operation. 

Is The Breast Tumour Dangerous?

Every so often I am being asked the question whether its necessary to remove a small benign lump from breasts of young female patients.

This is compounded by a very common advice by many doctors that a small benign lumps in low risk patients may not  be removed.

Benign breasts lumps and cysts are very common among female patients young and old.

For patients above 35 years of age, any lump in the breast should be examined by Surgeons, then fully investigated with Ultrasound and Mammogram/Mammography.Then, the surgeon would decide whether to perform a Needle Biopsy or a Operative Biopsy depending in the Imagings findings.

Benign images suggest a benign tumour regardless of size( pics above), and the surgeon will decide on direct Surgical Excision of the whole tumour.

Pic 1 : A large breast tumour of 20 years duration in an old lady

Pic 2 : Mammogram  picture of large benign breast tumour

Pic 3 : a large benign breast tumour removed at surgery preserving the breast

When A Vogue Started By A Celebrity Confuse The Public......

Surgeons Say Many Women Opt For Unnecessary Double Mastectomies, Following Angelina Jolie’s Example

By Sarah Rae Fruchtnicht, Tue, September 17, 2013

Breast cancer doctors and surgeons are seeing an increase in the number of women requesting unnecessary double mastectomies after Angelina Jolie announced her surgery earlier this year.

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