Surgical Management of Breast Disease

Lumpectomy
Lumpectomy, also referred to as breast conservation, involves the removal of the tumor (lump, lesion, abnormality) along with a margin of normal tissue surrounding it.
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Partial Mastectomy
A partial mastectomy is a different terminology for a Lumpectomy.
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Mastectomy
Mastectomy (simple mastectomy) involves the removal of the entire breast, with or without the nipple-areolar complex.
Modified Radical Mastectomy
A modified radical mastectomy is similar to a simple mastectomy, but also includes removal of the lymph nodes in the axilla (armpit.)
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Reconstruction
Breast reconstruction involves the restoration of the breast(s) shape to near normal appearance, symmetry and size following a mastectomy or lumpectomy for breast cancer treatment. The reconstruction is performed by Plastic Surgeons in conjunction with the Breast Surgeon. This may involve implant reconstruction, or using your own tissue (autologous reconstruction), or a combination of the two.
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Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy
Lymph nodes drain to one or two specific nodes initially and then move on to the other nodes. These first nodes are called sentinel lymph nodes, and studies have shown that if the sentinel lymph nodes are free of breast cancer cells, then there is an overwhelming probability that the rest of the lymph nodes (axillary nodes) are negative (no cancer cells).