Most women have heard of mastectomy, which is commonly performed to treat or reduce risk for breast cancer. In the age of improved cancer treatment, improved screening tools, and emphasis on long-term survival and benefits, it is important to question exactly when and for who a double mastectomy is beneficial.

Lumpectomy refers to the surgical removal of a lump or mass from the breast. During a typical lumpectomy procedure, your surgeon will remove a lump, be it cancerous or benign, from the breast along with some nearby healthy tissue to make sure nothing was left behind.

The procedure can be performed in both men and women. Lumpectomy may be part of the treatment plan for ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and invasive ductal carcinoma, two common types of breast cancer.

Most breast cancer treatments require some combination of chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery. Mastectomy refers to the surgical removal of the breast, but not necessarily the whole breast.

In the past, radical mastectomy was the most common treatment for breast cancer. The entire breast was removed during this procedure. Advancements in surgical techniques, and in our knowledge of breast cancer, now allow us to preserve healthy tissue in many patients.

Many people — in fact, most people, — have thyroid nodules. Most nodules are benign or non-cancerous. Figuring out which nodules are cancerous can be challenging. Fortunately, there are molecular tests available that can help to sort out these challenges.

Years ago, my colleagues and I worked on research in this field and identified a molecular profile that can predict which thyroid nodules have malignant, or cancerous, potential. Now, commercial labs even make use of molecular profiling to help guide patients and physicians when deciding on surgery.

Breastlink doctors specialize specifically in breast cancer care and treatment. While we can talk about the benefits of specialization, is there actually evidence to suggest that specialists can improve outcomes for breast cancer patients?

To answer that question, it is worth revisiting a 2003 study that investigated how patients fared following breast cancer surgery when treated by a breast-dedicated surgical oncologist.

Cryoablation is a novel treatment currently used to treat benign breast tumors (called fibroadenomas). Cryoablation is now being studied in patients with certain types of small breast cancer. The treatment places a small probe in the center of the cancer and subsequently uses liquid nitrogen to destroy breast cancer tumors by freezing them.

In the treatment of fibroadenomas, cryoablation has proven less invasive and less likely to affect cosmetic appearance than surgery. It could be possible for breast cancer patients to enjoy the same benefits in the future.

Cryoablation for Benign Breast Tumor Treatment

Fibroadenomas are benign breast tumors. They most frequently occur in women during their reproductive years. Although breast fibroadenomas are noncancerous, they can cause pain and affect the look, shape and feel of breasts. They usually do not affect breast cancer risk.

Conventional fibroadenoma treatment includes close monitoring for changes or growth, or surgical excision to remove breast fibroadenomas. However, a novel, FDA approved treatment called cryoablation offers many women an alternative option.

A woman born today in the United States has a one in eight chance of developing breast cancer. For women diagnosed with breast cancer, the two main treatment options are:

• Lumpectomy with radiation (removal of the cancer with a small amount of breast tissue) or
• Mastectomy (removal of all breast tissue).

Mastectomy surgery has improved significantly in the last two decades. Once considered a disfiguring procedure, current techniques for mastectomy and reconstruction can give women results that allow them to feel whole.

A New Study on Breast Cancer Patients Pursuing Cosmetic Surgery after Breast Reconstruction

Breast reconstruction is an important part of breast cancer treatment with the purpose of restoring a woman’s form and self-esteem. A new study presented at the annual meeting for the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) in San Diego found that many women who have had breast reconstruction go on to have other cosmetic surgical procedures such as body contouring or facial rejuvenation to further improve their self-image.

Prophylactic mastectomies, or “double mastectomy” is a surgical procedure chosen by women to substantially reduce their risk of developing breast cancer. The procedure, also known as a preventive mastectomy or risk-reducing mastectomy, removes nearly all breast tissue, reducing the risk of future breast cancer to less than 1%, even in the highest risk patients.