Breast Cancer Surgery

Breast cancer surgery, or oncoplastic breast surgery, is a seamless surgical approach in which removal of the cancer is merged with breast reconstruction or reshaping. With careful planning and a mindset for both oncological and aesthetic outcomes, we can use plastic surgical techniques to reshape or reconstruct the breast after surgery for breast cancer.

A mastectomy is surgery to remove all breast tissue from a breast as a way to treat or prevent breast cancer. For those with early-stage breast cancer, a mastectomy may be one treatment option.

Breast-conserving surgery (lumpectomy), in which only the tumour is removed from the breast, may be another option. A thorough consultation is required to diagnose and advise on the best course of action for any treatment.

An operation to remove most or all of the lymph nodes under the arm is called an axillary lymph node dissection or axillary clearance. You have a general anaesthetic for this operation. You will be asleep the whole time. The surgeon makes a small cut in your armpit to remove the lymph nodes.

The nipple and areola are usually the final phase of breast reconstruction. This is a separate surgery done to make the reconstructed breast look more like the original breast. It’s usually done about 3 to 4 months after surgery after the new breast has had time to heal.