Surgical Options for Breast Cancer

by Kerri Cooke

Having a doctor explain the results of a mammogram and what to expect during a biopsy immediately after finding an abnormality removes the waiting time for patients who would otherwise be waiting days or weeks to get clarity on their results. The “what ifs” and worry about the unknown can negatively affect your health as well. Sulphur Surgical Clinic knows that struggle, so doctors make sure you can hear from a doctor right away. 

“At Sulphur Surgical Clinic, you’ll have the same doctor with you throughout the process, guiding you as you go,” Dr. Devin Seale says. Doctors take care of most steps in-house, so there’s less time juggling appointments at different locations.  

A biopsy is the next informative step after an irregular mammogram, so be sure to ask any questions about the process and what to expect. (The good news is the majority of breast lumps are benign, but that’s even more reason to be vigilant about your care.) 

“If a biopsy does show cancer, you can get treatment quicker as Sulphur Surgical Clinic has taken the steps to refer you to a doctor for treatment, which can include chemotherapy or radiation. Once your treatment plan is determined, we can take care of any immediate or future breast surgery needs,” Dr. Seale says. 

The most common breast cancer surgery is a lumpectomy, which consists of removing a cancerous tumor and a bit of surrounding healthy tissue. Once this procedure is finished, a patient usually receives radiation therapy to ensure all cancer is eradicated. If breast cancer is found early, the need for more extensive treatment is usually unnecessary. 

Oncoplastic reconstruction can be done at the same time as a lumpectomy. Since you’re already doing surgery, it prevents the need for a second surgery to fix the area where the tumor was removed. Once the tumor is removed during a lumpectomy, a surgeon will fill in the space where the tissue was taken out with surrounding healthy tissue. Depending on your breast shape and size and the location and size of the tumor, surgeons might just need to make a small closure. In other cases, surgeons reshape the breast to make everything look uniform. This type of surgery gives a patient better results in the long run than alternatives. 

If breast cancer is further along, a tumor is large or there are multiple tumors, a mastectomy might be recommended. This surgery involves removing all of the breast tissue. Complete removal might be necessary to get rid of all the cancer, but it can also prevent reoccurrence in patients who have a high risk and concern about it. “Whether your lump turns out to be benign or you need further care, our doctors and staff are there for our patients during this stressful time,” Dr. Seale says.

For more information about Sulphur Surgical Clinic, call 337-527-6363 or visit sulphursurgicalclinic.com.