Our Approach to Breast Surgery

If you have an issue in your breast, whether cancerous or noncancerous (benign), a surgeon is usually the first specialist you will see. They evaluate your test results and work with you to determine your next steps.

At Memorial Healthcare System, our general surgeons specialize in treating breast diseases. We collaborate with cancer specialists and plastic surgeons to provide comprehensive care. Our goal is to deliver the most effective treatment possible while supporting your choices for the appearance of your breasts. 

Breast Conditions We Treat

We offer assessments and surgical care for the following breast conditions:

• Benign breast diseases, including mastitis, fibroadenomas, cysts and intraductal papillomas.
• Breast cancer, including ductal and lobular carcinomas.
• High-risk breast cancer due to inherited genes, such as BRCA1 and BRCA2.

Diagnosing Breast Conditions

In many cases, patients come to us after an abnormal mammogram result. Not knowing if a suspicious area is cancerous can be stressful. We work diligently to make an accurate, timely diagnosis so you can get the care you need.

Diagnosis typically requires additional tests. Your surgeon may recommend:

• Diagnostic imaging: These tests provide more detailed images of your breast and include mammograms, ultrasounds and MRIs.
• Needle biopsy: A biopsy is a procedure to collect a tissue sample for laboratory analysis. A needle biopsy is the most common type. Radiologists perform this test using image guidance to place the needle precisely. 

• Surgical biopsy: In this procedure, a surgeon usually removes the entire suspicious area, plus a margin of normal tissue around it. A surgical biopsy is usually needed only if a needle biopsy result is inconclusive. 

Women’s Imaging Services at Memorial offers expert diagnostic imaging and image-guided needle biopsies.

Breast Surgery at Memorial Healthcare System

Our surgeons rely on the latest evidence when recommending breast surgery. You may have several options for surgery and reconstruction. Your team will help you understand all your options so you can choose what’s right for you.

Types of breast surgery we offer include:

• Partial mastectomy (lumpectomy): Removes part of a breast 

• Full mastectomy: Removes the entire breast

• Bilateral mastectomy: Removes both breasts

• Prophylactic (preventive) mastectomy: Removes one or both breasts to reduce the risk of breast cancer in high-risk individuals

Advanced Breast Cancer Care

If a breast condition is cancerous, you may require additional treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy. At Memorial, you have access to comprehensive breast cancer care that includes the latest treatments and compassionate support.

Breast Reconstruction

Reconstruction helps optimize the appearance of one or both breasts after surgery. If you have a partial mastectomy, your surgeon may perform reconstructive techniques to fill in gaps and reduce scarring.

For more extensive reconstruction, we work with skilled plastic surgeons. They offer silicone and saline implants, tissue flap reconstruction and other procedures to improve breast appearance and symmetry. When possible, our surgeons use skin-sparing and nipple-sparing techniques during breast surgery to provide a more natural reconstruction. 

For a prophylactic mastectomy or early-stage breast cancer, you may have reconstruction at the same time as breast surgery. We typically delay reconstruction if radiation therapy is needed.

Follow-Up Care

After surgery, our team helps you through postoperative care and surgical recovery. We are by your side to address any questions or concerns. In the long term, many patients continue to see us for routine visits and screenings to monitor breast health.