If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer, surgery will likely be a part of your treatment. Depending upon the type and stage of your cancer, your surgeon may recommend a breast-conserving surgery or a mastectomy (breast removal). Lymph node removal is performed at the same time as the surgery, or may be performed as a second surgery, to determine if the cancer has spread. Following a mastectomy, many women undergo breast reconstructive surgery to rebuild the breast.
The surgeons at Texas Health Center for Diagnostics & Surgery have extensive experience in performing all types of breast cancer surgical procedures. Our dedicated team of nurses will provide personalized support and care during your surgery and recovery.
Types of Breast Cancer Surgery Procedures
The types of breast cancer procedures performed at Texas Health Center for Diagnostics & Surgery include:
Lumpectomy
A lumpectomy is the removal of the breast tumor (the "lump") and a surrounding margin of normal tissue. Lumpectomy is a form of “breast-conserving” or "breast preservation" surgery.
Simple or Total Mastectomy
Removal of the entire breast, including the skin and nipple, but not the underarm lymph nodes or muscle tissue from beneath the breast. Sometimes both breasts are removed (a double mastectomy), often as preventive surgery in women at very high risk for breast cancer.
Lymph node surgery
To determine if the breast cancer has spread to the axillary (underarm) lymph nodes, one or more of the lymph nodes may be removed and examined.
Axillary lymph node dissection (ALND)
Axillary lymph node dissection is the removal of the some of the lymph nodes (about 10 to 40) under your arm (axilla) to determine if the cancer has spread. It is usually performed during a mastectomy or breast-conserving procedure, but it can be performed as a second operation.
Breast reconstruction
Breast reconstruction is a procedure to reconstruct the breast to near normal shape, size and appearance following a mastectomy. Many women can begin the reconstruction process at the same time as the mastectomy surgery. This is known as immediate reconstruction.
The SAVI SCOUT® Surgical Guidance System
The SAVI SCOUT® surgical guidance system is a technology that allows breast cancer surgeons on the medical staff to more accurately pinpoint lesions prior to surgery. The system uses no radiation and no wires. Instead, a small staple-sized device (reflector) is placed in the tissue target up to seven days prior to surgery. This alleviates the need for patients to visit radiology on the morning of surgery. The SAVI SCOUT, which uses radar technology, guides the surgeon to precisely target the breast tissue during a lumpectomy or excisional biopsy procedure, plan the incision and direct surgery.
The technology helps surgeons with:
- Tumor localization
- Surgical planning
- Surgical guidance
- Confirmation of the tissue to be removed
This system offers many advantages to patients, including:
- Added comfort during procedure since no invasive guide wires are used
- Decreased wait times between radiology and surgery
- Easier localization of the breast tumor
- Enhanced surgical success of targeted tumors
- FDA approved for targeting other non-breast tissues, including lymph nodes and other body parts