Reconstructive surgery

Most women with breast cancer will undergo surgery. The type of surgery you have will largely depend on the size and location of the tumor, breast size, the spread of cancer to the lymph nodes, and any previous treatments you’ve received. When your healthcare team plans surgery, they also consider other factors, such as your overall health and the type of surgery you wish to have.

Surgery may be performed for different reasons, including:

• Removing the tumor entirely;
• Checking for or removing cancer in the lymph nodes;
• Removing cancer that has returned in the breast (local recurrence);
• Reconstructing the breast (breast reconstruction).
• Chemotherapy may sometimes be given before surgery, called neoadjuvant chemotherapy, to shrink a large tumor and make it easier to remove.

The following types of surgery are used to treat breast cancer. In many cases, either breast-conserving surgery or a mastectomy can be performed. Your healthcare team will explain your treatment options to help you choose what’s right for you. The type of surgery you select may affect other treatments given before or after surgery. Learn more about choosing the breast surgery that suits you.