Types of Surgery
Excision Biopsy
This term is generally used to describe removal of a breast lump without the removal of extra breast tissue surrounding the lump. This operation is commonly performed when the lump is benign or indeterminate.
Breast Conserving Surgery
Removal of a cancerous breast lump with a cuff of normal tissue around it. The term “wide local” excision is also used to describe this type of surgery. Most patients having breast conserving surgery have some form of axillary procedure at the same time.
Simple Mastectomy
This removal of the breast and nipple alone
Skin Sparing Mastectomy
Removal of the breast and nipple through a cosmetic incision around the nipple preserving most the breast skin. This operation is commonly combined with immediate breast reconstruction.
Sentinel Node Biopsy
See separate section on sentinel node biopsy
Axillary Clearance
The term axillary clearance (Level II or III) or axillary dissection broadly mean the same thing, that is removal of most of the axillary lymph glands. This is in contrast to sentinel node biopsy, which is an assessment of only one or two axillary lymph glands. Axillary clearance is performed following sentinel node biopsy if it is positive, or initially if the lymph glands are likely to contain cancer cells (e.g. large tumour in the breast).
Breast Reconstruction
This term is used describe reconstruction of the breast mound. This can be performed to reconstruct defects following breast conserving surgery, immediately at the time of total mastectomy, or at a later date (delayed reconstruction). There are many ways of performing breast reconstruction.