We know how fast a breast cancer diagnosis can change your life and the lives of those you love. It can feel like everything is upside-down, and you aren’t sure what to do next. Our expert breast cancer specialists are here to provide you with the leading-edge, compassionate care you deserve to help you along your journey to healing.
We’re here with one of our expert plastic and reconstructive surgeons, Sabrina Pavri, MD, FACS, MBA, to share the ins and outs of breast conservation therapy. Keep reading to learn more about this procedure and find out if it’s right for you.
What Is Breast Conservation Therapy?
“Breast conservation therapy is a treatment method involving surgery and radiation for breast cancer patients. First, the breast surgeon removes the breast tissue containing the tumor and a small margin of surrounding healthy tissue, leaving the rest of the breast behind,” says Dr. Pavri. She continues, “The rest of the breast is then treated with radiation once the surgical site heals to decrease the chance of cancer returning to the same area.” It’s also typical for surgeons to remove a few lymph nodes in the armpit to check if the cancer has spread.
Breast conservation therapy is also called a lumpectomy, quadrantectomy, partial mastectomy or segmental mastectomy, depending on how much tissue must be removed.
Candidacy, Benefits and Risks of Breast Conservation Therapy
While breast conservation therapy is a less invasive procedure, it’s important to know that it’s not right for everyone. “The best candidate for breast conservation therapy is one with a small tumor in a large breast. However, it can be considered for patients with larger or multifocal tumors in certain circumstances where there’s enough well-vascularized breast tissue remaining,” explains Dr. Pavri. “There is a procedure we offer to patients with larger or more ptotic (droopy) breasts called an oncoplastic breast reduction, which combines the lumpectomy for breast cancer with a breast reduction and lift. This procedure allows us to avoid the indentation that may be left behind after a lumpectomy and obtain better overall symmetry and aesthetic results before radiation.” Talking with your breast surgeon and plastic surgeon is the best way to know if you’re a good candidate for this procedure.
“Benefits of breast conservation therapy include maintaining most of your native tissue and sensation and the fact that it’s all done in one surgery,” says Dr. Pavri. “It’s very successful in appropriate patients and has a locoregional recurrence rate that’s statistically the same as a mastectomy, even though it’s a less invasive procedure.
As with any surgery, there are risks that accompany this procedure. Dr. Pavri says, “If additional surgery is needed after breast conservation therapy, it can become more complicated because radiation therapy does cause some permanent side effects. It can cause hyperpigmentation of the skin, soft tissue scarring and fibrosis, making patients more susceptible to delayed wound healing and wound infection in the radiated area if further surgery is needed. Other drawbacks to breast conservation therapy include the need to continue screening both breasts, which includes imaging and biopsies as needed. Some women have a lot of anxiety about continuing breast screening and potentially needing future biopsies, and these patients are typically better suited for a mastectomy.
Your Road to Recovery
Almost all breast conservation surgeries are done as outpatient procedures, allowing you to go home the same day. For most women, you should be able to return to normal activities around four weeks after surgery.
Your care team will give you at-home instructions on how to heal properly. While you’re recovering at home, it’s important that you follow the given instructions to ensure your best chance at a full recovery.
Remember that everyone’s recovery will look different. For some, bruising and swelling are prominent, while others may experience changes in sensation. Give yourself grace as your body heals, and know that we’re here for you through it all.
Caring for You Every Step of the Way
At AdventHealth, we seek to care for all of you in body, mind and spirit. We’re here to support you as you recover from breast cancer. Our expert oncologists, radiologists and surgeons are dedicated to giving you their best so you can return to the life you love.
Visit us here to learn more about our plastic and reconstructive surgery services. You deserve to feel whole.
