If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer, you may think your only option for recovery is mastectomy -- the surgical removal of your breast -- followed by weeks of radiation. And years ago, this may have been the case -- but not anymore.

"Today women have more options than ever before," says Donna M. Angotti, MD, a surgical oncologist on staff at Central Montgomery Medical Center (CMMC). "Breast-conservation therapy has allowed women -- particularly those with early-stage breast cancer -- to have lumpectomy and a short course of radiation."

"Not only can this save a breast's appearance, but it has fewer risks and leads to a quicker recovery," she says.

Are You a Candidate?
Many women are candidates for breast-conserving therapy, but those who should not have the therapy include women who are pregnant, have very large tumors, or have more than one tumor in the breast.

During breast-conserving surgery, also called lumpectomy or partial mastectomy, surgeons remove the breast tumor and only some surrounding, noncancerous tissue. Partial breast irradiation, a minimally invasive form of radiation, is an option many women may have.

A traditional course of radiation is delivered externally and treatment lasts for at least six weeks, but partial irradiation takes place twice a day for just five days.

Donna M. Angotti, MD

What Are Other Options?
After consulting your physician, you may find that you are not eligible for breast-conserving therapy. Fortunately, today's mastectomies are less invasive than they were years ago.

Traditional measures required breast removal and additional axillary lymph node dissection. Now, surgeons can remove the sentinel node, which is the first node into which a tumor drains and the one where cancer cells are most likely to spread. If the sentinel node is cancer-free, additional lymph node dissection may be avoided.

Preserved Breasts Feel Better
"Studies also show that women with breast tumors have an equal chance of surviving breast cancer regardless of whether they have a lumpectomy with radiation therapy or a mastectomy," Dr. Angotti says.

For many women, the choice between breast-conserving therapy and traditional therapy is based more on quality of life than on actual survival rates. There is no difference in survival rates between patients who choose between lumpectomy and mastectomy.

Research has shown that women whose breasts are preserved have a more positive attitude about their body image. They experience fewer changes in feelings of sexual desirability and in how often their breasts experience stimulation.

Want to Talk with a Doctor?
To locate a physician in your area who specializes in oncology or breast-conservation therapy, please call Direct Doctors^SM Plus at 866-446-2507.

Central Montgomery Medical Center 100 Medical Campus Drive, Lansdale, PA 19446 215-368-2100 | FAX 215-361-4933