Cancer Removal
The objective is to remove the cancer tissue along with a 2mm margin (“clear margin”) of normal breast tissue.
- Breast Conserving Surgery
- Lumpectomy
- Wide Local Excision
- Quadrantectomy (removal of a quarter of the whole breast)
- Mastectomy (removal of the whole breast)
Axillary Clearance
- Offered to patients where early invasive breast cancer has been demonstrated in axillary nodes
- Involves removing the majority or all lymph nodes from the axilla
- Increases risk of chronic lymphedema in that arm
Chronic Lymphoedema
- Can occur in the ipsilateral arm to the breast undergoing surgery
- This can have a large impact on the patient’s quality of life
- Patients should be informed of the risk of lymphoedema prior to surgery
- Resting the arm post operatively, certain exercises and avoiding injury or infection reduces the risk of developing lymphoedema
- Specialist lymphoedema services available
N.B. Do not take bloods from this arm