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After Breast Cancer Surgery: What Happens Next?

After Breast Cancer Surgery: What Happens Next?

Introduction

Women all over the world have achieved recovery post breast cancer surgery and continue to lead normal or near normal lives. This involves a combination of physical healing, being in control of emotions, and continued medical support. Here are answers to the common question – after breast cancer surgery: what happens next?

Quick Overview Of Breast Cancer And Its Symptoms

Here is a quick overview of breast cancer before we look at answers to the question after breast cancer surgery: what happens next? This is a type of cancer that forms in the breast, that typically starts in the milk ducts or the lobules. Treatment outcomes are much better when the condition is detected early. 

Symptoms of breast cancer include the following:

  • Formation of lumps or thickening in the breast or underarm.
  • Changes in the size or shape of the breast.
  • Changes in the skin on the breast such as dimpling, reddish appearance or scaling.
  • Fluid discharge from the nipple that could have traces of blood at times. 
  • Changes in the nipple.
  • Pain in the breast or nipple.

People who are more at risk of breast cancer include the following categories:

  • Increases with age.
  • Family history.
  • Hormonal factors such as early menstruation, late menopause.
  • Lifestyle reasons such as obesity, or consumption of alcohol.

What Procedure Is Performed During Breast Cancer Surgery?

Here is a look at the different procedures carried out, as part of answers to the question after breast cancer surgery: what happens next? The choice of procedure will depend on the stage of the cancer, its type and location. Commonly used procedures include the following:

  1. Lumpectomy involving removal of the tumor and some of the surrounding healthy tissue. This helps to preserve most of the breast. This is the ideal choice for early-stage cancers or when the tumor is small. 
  2. Mastectomy involving removal of the entire breast and nearby tissues, and this depends on the extent of cancer. There are sub-types including, full removal, removal of breast and lymph nodes in the armpit, removal by retaining the skin, and removal by retaining the nipple.
  3. Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy involving removal of the first few lymph nodes. This is to check if additional lymph nodes need to be removed.
  4. Axillary Lymph Node Dissection involving removal of many lymph nodes from the armpit. This is to prevent the spread to other parts of the body.
  5. Breast Reconstruction Surgery for restoration of the physical appearance of the breast. This is performed using either implants or tissue from another part of the body.

What Is Breast Reconstruction And How Is It Performed?

Here is a good look at breast reconstruction as part of answers to the question after breast cancer surgery: what happens next? This surgical procedure helps to restore the shape and appearance of the breast post-surgery, such as mastectomy or lumpectomy.

Different types of breast reconstruction include:

  • Implants using saline or silicone.
  • Autologous reconstruction using tissue from the abdomen, back, thighs, or buttocks of the patient. 
  • Combination procedure combining implants with tissue from the patient.
  • Nipple and areola reconstruction using skin grafts.

The reconstruction surgery may be performed either immediately after the breast surgery or months/ years after additional treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation.

Recovery from reconstruction surgery may require hospital stay for less than five days, depending on the procedure. Typical recovery time required is between 4–8 weeks for most patients. There could be some kind of pain, and the patient needs to follow-up with visits to monitor the healing

What Are The Different Options In Breast Cancer Treatment?

It is important to be aware of possible options of cancer treatment, when answering the question after breast cancer surgery: what happens next? The type of treatment depends on the stage of cancer, nature of cancer and overall health of the patient. Common treatment options include the following:

  1. Surgery – as outlined in earlier sections.
  2. Radiation therapy – this makes use of high-energy beams to destroy targeted cancer cells. This is used post-surgery to kill remaining cancer cells. The different types include external beam radiation and internal radiation.
  3. Chemotherapy – this relies on drugs to destroy cancer cells or to prevent their growth. This is used prior to surgery, to shrink the tumor and after surgery to kill remaining cancer cells.  The drugs are given are either intravenously or as oral pills.
  4. Hormone therapy – this works by blocking hormones that are responsible for breast cancers. Drugs are given after surgery, and also as prevention in high-risk cases.
  5. Targeted therapy – is resorted to focus on certain proteins or genetic mutations that are responsible for cancer growth.
  6. Immunotherapy – is intended to boost the immune system that will recognize and attack cancer cells. This option is usually combined with chemotherapy.

How To Achieve Risks Prevention Of Breast Cancer?

It is now time to look at risks’ prevention, after the above answers to the question after breast cancer surgery: what happens next? Though there are no guarantees that breast cancer can be prevented, it is possible to reduce the risk of developing it. Here are some of the options to help reduce risk of breast cancer:

  1. Weight – is to be maintained as per ideal healthy range. This is because obesity is linked to a higher risk of breast cancer, since excess fat is known to increase estrogen levels.
  2. Physically active lifestyle – is important as this can lower estrogen levels and also improve immune function. This will reduce the risk of breast cancer.
  3. Alcohol – consumption increases risk by affecting estrogen levels and promoting the growth of cancer cells.
  4. Smoking – is linked to an increased risk, especially in premenopausal women.
  5. Breastfeeding – is known to lower the risk, especially if breastfeeding is continued for several months.
  6. Hormone Replacement Therapy – when carried out on a long term basis increases the risk of breast cancer.
  7. Family history – of breast cancer may also pose a risk. The best option is to undergo genetic testing to look for risks of inherited conditions and mutations. Advanced genetic testing facilities in Tamilnadu help to reveal inherited gene mutations, such as BRCA1 and BRCA2.

 

 

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