Mastectomy

Overview of Mastectomy

Mastectomy is a surgical procedure involving the removal of one or both breasts to treat or prevent breast cancer. It is commonly recommended for women with breast cancer who are not suitable candidates for breast-conserving surgery 'lumpectomy- or who choose to undergo mastectomy for personal or medical reasons. Mastectomy may involve partial or total removal of breast tissue, nipple, and areola, depending on the extent of disease and surgical approach.

Exploring Advanced Technologies & Techniques

Advances in surgical techniques, imaging modalities, and breast reconstruction options have improved the safety, efficacy, and cosmetic outcomes of mastectomy.

Advanced Technologies:

• Oncoplastic Surgery: Oncoplastic surgery combines cancer removal 'mastectomy- with plastic surgery techniques to reshape and reconstruct the breast, allowing for optimal tumor excision while preserving breast aesthetics, symmetry, and function.
• Skin-Sparing Mastectomy: Skin-sparing mastectomy preserves the breast skin envelope and nipple-areola complex 'NAC- during breast tissue removal, facilitating immediate breast reconstruction and improving cosmetic outcomes with minimal scarring.
• Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy: Nipple-sparing mastectomy preserves the nipple-areola complex 'NAC- and breast skin envelope while removing breast tissue, offering excellent cosmetic results and preserving nipple sensation in selected patients with early-stage breast cancer or prophylactic indications.
• Intraoperative Imaging: Intraoperative imaging techniques, such as intraoperative ultrasound or specimen radiography, provide real-time visualization of the tumor and surgical margins during mastectomy, ensuring complete tumor removal and reducing the need for re-excision surgeries.

Previous Techniques Used:

• Conventional Mastectomy: Traditional mastectomy involves the complete surgical removal of breast tissue, nipple, and areola through an elliptical incision in the breast or chest wall, followed by closure of the surgical wound and placement of drains to prevent fluid accumulation.
• Modified Radical Mastectomy: Modified radical mastectomy entails removal of breast tissue, nipple, and areola, along with axillary lymph nodes in the underarm region, to achieve comprehensive cancer control and evaluate lymph node involvement.
• Total Mastectomy: Total mastectomy involves removal of breast tissue while preserving the nipple-areola complex 'NAC- and breast skin envelope, offering a less invasive alternative to skin-sparing or nipple-sparing mastectomy for selected patients.

New Techniques Introduced:

• Robotic Mastectomy: Robotic-assisted mastectomy utilizes minimally invasive robotic systems to perform precise surgical maneuvers and tissue dissection, offering enhanced visualization, dexterity, and ergonomics for breast surgeons while minimizing surgical trauma and scarring.
• Targeted Intraoperative Radiation Therapy 'IORT-: Intraoperative radiation therapy delivers a concentrated dose of radiation directly to the tumor bed during mastectomy, reducing the need for external beam radiation therapy 'EBRT- and shortening the duration of adjuvant radiotherapy, with potential benefits for selected patients with early-stage breast cancer or low-risk tumors.
• Cryoablation: Cryoablation involves the use of extreme cold 'cryotherapy- to destroy breast tumors non-surgically, offering a minimally invasive alternative to surgical excision 'mastectomy or lumpectomy- for selected patients with early-stage breast cancer or benign breast lesions.

Post-operative Care

Following mastectomy, women require comprehensive post-operative care to promote optimal wound healing, manage complications, and support physical and emotional recovery:

• Wound Care: Proper wound care, including dressing changes, wound inspection, and infection prevention measures, is essential to prevent surgical site complications 'such as infection, hematoma, or seroma- and promote healing of the surgical incisions.
• Drain Management: Surgical drains are commonly placed during mastectomy to remove excess blood or fluid from the surgical site, reducing the risk of seroma formation or wound complications, and require careful monitoring, emptying, and documentation until drainage decreases to a predetermined level for drain removal.
• Pain Management: Adequate pain management, including prescription or over-the-counter pain medications, ice packs, and supportive garments 'such as compression bras or soft dressings-, helps alleviate post-operative discomfort, reduce inflammation, and facilitate mobility and recovery after mastectomy.
• Arm Care: Women should practice gentle arm exercises, lymphatic drainage techniques, and range-of-motion exercises to maintain mobility, prevent stiffness, and reduce the risk of lymphedema following axillary lymph node dissection or sentinel lymph node biopsy during mastectomy, while avoiding heavy lifting, repetitive overhead movements, or tight clothing that may exacerbate lymphatic congestion or impede circulation in the operated arm.
• Emotional Support: Emotional support, counseling, and access to support groups or peer networks can help women cope with the physical, emotional, and psychological challenges of mastectomy, navigate treatment decisions, address body image concerns, and develop coping strategies for adjustment and resilience during cancer recovery and survivorship.

Recovery Timeline

The recovery timeline following mastectomy varies depending on individual factors such as age, overall health, tumor characteristics, treatment regimen, and post-operative complications:

• Short-Term Recovery: Many women experience initial recovery and wound healing within a few weeks after mastectomy, with resolution of surgical site pain, bruising, and swelling, although some may experience persistent or delayed post-operative symptoms requiring medical attention or intervention.
• Long-Term Recovery: Long-term recovery involves ongoing surveillance, follow-up appointments, imaging studies, and adjuvant therapies such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormonal therapy, or targeted therapy to reduce the risk of cancer recurrence, monitor treatment response, and optimize long-term survival outcomes for women with breast cancer.

Understanding Mastectomy Cost

Alternative Treatments and Surgeries

Transparency at Al Riaz Health Services

We're committed to providing personalized cost estimates considering individual medical conditions, surgeon expertise, technological requirements, and chosen hospital facilities within our network. This ensures informed decision-making and empowers patients to prioritize their health needs effectively.