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Before and
After Mastectomy
If you have breast
cancer, you are well-aware of the heavy emotional and
physical toll it takes on you and those around you. It is important
to choose a treatment plan as early as possible in order to beat
the disease. One common option is a surgical procedure called
a mastectomy. Being well-informed, and knowing what to expect
after a mastectomy can alleviate some of your concerns.
What
is a Mastectomy?
A mastectomy is a form of treatment
for breast cancer which involves the
surgical removal of a breast or part
of it. The purpose is to stop the cancer
cells from spreading to other areas
of the body. There are different kinds
of mastectomies. The type of cancer,
and what stage it is in determines which
kind of mastectomy is required for that
particular patient.
Who
Needs a Mastectomy?
Not all women need to undergo
a mastectomy. Individual cases are assessed
and treatment options are offered. Your
doctor will advise you. A mastectomy
may be recommended if a patient falls
in one of the following categories:
- Cancer
is present in more than 1 area of
the breast
- Lumpectomy
was not successful
- Radiation
was not successful
- The breast
tumor is larger than 5 cm
- Radiation
is not possible due to health factors
(i.e. pregnant)
Types of Mastectomies
Partial Mastectomy:
This procedure, which is the least invasive, involves removing
only a small part of the breast. It is usually performed when
the patient is in the early stages of breast cancer or has a small
tumor.
Total
Mastectomy: This surgery consists
of the removal of the entire breast,
but no lymph nodes are removed. It usually
involves a brief hospital stay and a
return shortly after to remove the drainage
tube that was inserted during surgery.
Sometimes, a patient opts to have both
breasts removed as a preventative measure.
Modified
Radical Mastectomy: This is
the most common type of mastectomy.
It amounts to the removal of the entire
breast, including the skin, nipple and
some of the lymph nodes.
Radical
Mastectomy: This procedure
is very similar to the modified radical
mastectomy, except that all the lymph
nodes and the muscles in the chest wall
are removed.
What
to Expect after a Mastectomy
After a mastectomy, the patient
will notice some sensitivity and discomfort.
On average, most women stay in the hospital
for 2 or 3 days after the surgery. The
most common side effects are fatigue,
swelling, and some pain in the breast
area.
Post-surgery physiotherapy
begins while in the hospital and is continued at home. It is important
not participate in any strenuous activities until the attending
doctor gives the green light.
Read about Breast
Prostheses
