Breast Surgery Specialist
-
- Tweet
Oakland General Surgery
Einas Joseph, MD
General Surgeon located in Rochester Hills, MI
Surgery is often a key element in treating breast cancer but might also be necessary for benign conditions like large fibroadenomas. If you need breast surgery, Einas Joseph, MD, of Oakland General Surgery in Rochester Hills, Michigan, can help. Dr. Joseph is an experienced general surgeon who performs procedures to treat cancerous and benign breast diseases and works with your oncologist to determine the right time for breast surgery. To find out how you can benefit from her expertise, call Oakland General Surgery today, or book an appointment online.
Breast Surgery Q&A
Why might I need breast surgery?
Breast surgery might be necessary if you have a malignant or benign tumor in your breast.
Malignant tumors are lumps of cancerous tissue that develop when the cells in the breast mutate. The mutation causes them to reproduce without dying off naturally as normal cells do, creating masses that can eventually prove fatal.
Breast cancer commonly affects women but also develops in some men.
Benign tumors are also lumps of tissue. Sometimes fluid collects and forms a cyst. These cells, though, aren't cancerous. Fibroadenomas are common benign tumors. You don't usually need surgery for benign growths unless they get excessively large or cause other problems.
You might not need surgery for breast cancer right away. It depends on how advanced the cancer is and factors like your general health and age.
For some patients, treatments like chemotherapy and radiation therapy are enough, but for many, breast surgery is vital in successfully treating cancer.
What does breast surgery involve?
The technique Dr. Joseph uses to perform your breast surgery depends on the reason for your surgery, the size of the lump, its location, and whether your cancer is spreading to other areas of your body (metastasizing). Options include:
Lumpectomy
A lumpectomy or excisional breast biopsy involves removing the lump while retaining as much breast tissue as possible. If you have cancer, Dr. Joseph takes away some of the normal tissue around the lump to make sure no stray cancer cells remain.
Lumpectomy is primarily for patients with early-stage breast cancers and benign tumors.
Simple or total mastectomy
Total mastectomy involves removing the breast but leaving behind the lymph nodes underneath your arm.
Modified radical mastectomy
It's sometimes necessary to take both breast tissue and lymph nodes, leaving your chest intact. A radical mastectomy involves removing the chest wall muscles as well, but this is uncommon.
Dr. Joseph goes to great lengths to preserve healthy breast tissue and excels in performing nipple- and areola-sparing techniques where possible.
What happens after breast surgery?
If you have a lumpectomy for breast cancer, you're likely to require 4-5 weeks of radiation therapy after your breast surgery. This targets any stray cancer cells remaining in your breast tissue.
An alternative is brachytherapy, where Dr. Joseph implants radioactive material into your breast during the surgery.
Extensive breast surgery might require reconstructive procedures to restore your natural breast shape.
To find out more about breast surgery, call Oakland General Surgery today, or book an appointment online.
