Our surgical treatment options

Our breast surgeons have expertise in performing surgical procedures for all types of breast cancer, and our team works closely with reconstructive plastic surgeons to offer the most innovative breast reconstruction techniques, including reconstructive micro-surgery, for patients during and after cancer surgery.

Some surgical options available to breast cancer patients at City of Hope include:

Breast conservation therapy (lumpectomy)

Breast-conserving surgery, or lumpectomy, involves removing the tumor and some of the surrounding tissue, but not the entire breast.

Breast removal (mastectomy)

During a mastectomy, the surgeon removes the entire breast. There are several different types of mastectomies, including many procedures designed to spare much of the breast skin and even the nipple. Women who have multiple areas of cancer and/or large tumors relative to the size of the breast may be advised to have a mastectomy. Risk-reducing removal of the breast may be considered a preventative option for women with certain genetic mutations. Your breast surgeon and care team will guide you through the decision-making process.

Axillary surgery

As part of breast cancer surgery, your surgeons may check the lymph nodes in the underarm to determine whether cancer has spread there, typically using a minimally invasive approach called a sentinel lymph node biopsy. During this procedure, doctors use a special dye that helps pinpoint the first lymph nodes that drain the breast. These nodes are then removed and evaluated for cancer. Sometimes, additional lymph nodes need to be removed, either during the procedure or after receiving initial results, using an approach called an axillary dissection.

Reconstructive surgery

City of Hope offers a wide array of reconstructive surgery for breast cancer patients. Our reconstructive surgeons evaluate each patient individually, working with you to understand your expectations and goals, then discuss the options available to you. Breast reconstruction is divided into two general categories:

Implant-based reconstruction: This technique uses a silicone gel implant to create the breast mound. At City of Hope, our surgeons commonly use the prepectoral reconstruction technique, which leaves the muscles attached to the chest wall and places the implant above them, similar to a natural breast. This procedure is designed to reduce post-operative pain and recovery time. Often, implants can be placed at the same time as the mastectomy procedure.

Autologous reconstruction: Another approach for building a new breast involves using the patient’s own tissue. In this procedure, tissue is transplanted from another area of the body to create the reconstructed breast. The tissue (called a flap) may be removed from the lower abdomen, back, buttock or inner thigh.