Breast Surgery Q & A

Who needs breast surgery?

When you hear someone is having breast surgery, you might immediately think about breast implants. But most women with breast cancer require breast surgery to remove the cancerous tissue.

Dr. Popovich has performed more than 15,000 successful surgeries over his 20-year career and takes great pride in the procedures he performs on women undergoing a life-altering procedure.

What are the types of breast surgeries for cancer?

There are two primary methods of breast surgery for cancer treatment.

Mastectomy

A mastectomy is the total removal of your breast and sometimes the surrounding tissue. Women who need a mastectomy may also get a double mastectomy, which involves removing both breasts.

Breast-conserving surgery (BCS)

BCS refers to the removal of only the cancerous tissue, not the entire breast. BCS may also be referred to as:

• Lumpectomy
• Partial mastectomy
• Segmental mastectomy
• Quadrantectomy
  
  

Dr. Popovich specializes in breast-conserving treatments. The goal of this type of surgery is to remove the cancerous portion and some of the surrounding tissue while maintaining as much of the healthy breast tissue as possible.

How do I know if BCS is right for me?

You and your cancer doctor determine if breast-conserving treatment makes the best choice for you. Generally, women with early-stage cancer make the best candidates. However, you may need to have additional treatment, such as radiation, if you choose BCS.

Other considerations that may make BCS the right choice for you include:

• Concerns about losing your entire breast
• Willing and able to have other treatments, such as radiation
• Have only one area of cancer or a cluster in the same spot
• Have not had radiation therapy
• Tumor is small
• Don’t have the genetic mutation with the risk of recurrence
• Don’t have inflammatory breast cancer
  
  

Dr. Popovich will discuss the procedure with you and how much tissue he may need to remove, so, if needed, you can plan for your reconstruction surgery.

What can I expect after breast surgery?

BCS is typically done as an outpatient, so you can go home after you’ve recovered from your anesthesia. Dr. Popovich will provide you with instructions on how to care for your surgical site. You may need to refrain from certain activities during the healing process, but you should be able to resume most of your normal activities within two weeks.

For expert breast surgery, call Dr. Popovich’s office or schedule an appointment using the online booking button. 

If you live near Jersey City, New Jersey, and would like to know more about your surgical treatment options, call the office or schedule an appointment online.