Breast Surgery Flashcards
What are the two main principles of surgical oncology in the breast?
Surgical excision with a clear margin
Preserve function
What are the two main types of breast surgery?
Breast conservation
Mastectomy
When does breast conservation surgery have the same effect as mastectomy?
Clear margins (>1mm) Breast radiotherapy
Give some examples of neoadjuvant therapy that can be used to achieve breast conservation
Chemotherapy +/- herceptin
Endocrine (aromatase inhibitors)
What is involved in oncoplastic breast surgery?
Removing the cancer while avoiding tissue deformity
What is involved in a mastectomy?
Removal of all breast tissue
What options are available for the woman following mastectomy?
External prosthesis
Reconstruction
Give some examples of reconstruction surgeries following mastectomy
Implant only
Latissimus dorsi pedicled flap (+/- implant)
Free flap
What is the main difference between pedicled and free flaps?
Pedicled - blood supply nearby
Free flap - blood supply harvested
Give some advantages to having implants following mastectomy
Short initial operation
No scars elsewhere
Give some disadvantages to having implants following mastectomy
Loss of implants
High risk of further surgery
What treatment options are available for the axilla?
Axillary clearance
Axillary radiotherapy
Why do surgeons tend to avoid taking out all axillary lymph nodes?
As it can result in lymphoedema of the upper arm
