Breast & Endocrine Surgery
Types of Breast Procedures
Breast surgery, a broad term which encompasses several surgical procedures on the breast, is a safe and effective method to remove breast cancer and to minimise the risk of recurrence.
Breast Lump Removal
Breast lump excision (lumpectomy) is a surgical procedure to remove an abnormal breast lump and a margin of surrounding tissue. A lumpectomy is a key part of the treatment for early-stage breast cancer, as it helps to remove the cancerous cells while preserving as much of the breast as possible. Following the removal of the breast lump, a secondary treatment (radiation therapy) is carried out to ensure no cancer cells remain.
Mastectomy
Mastectomy is a major surgical approach that involves the removal of the entire breast tissue to treat or minimise the risk of breast cancer. It's important to remember that the decision to undergo a preventative mastectomy, which usually entails the surgical resection of both breasts to reduce the likelihood of breast cancer, is ultimately yours to make in consultation with your healthcare team.
There are different types of mastectomies, such as the following:
- A total mastectomy (simple mastectomy) involves the removal of the entire breast tissue, which includes the nipple and areola.
- Skin-preserving mastectomy is a procedure that involves the removal of the breast tissue, nipple and areola, but sparing the breast skin.
- Nipple-preserving mastectomy involves just the removal of the breast tissue while the nipple, areola and breast skin are left as is.
Endocrine Procedure: Thyroidectomy
Thyroidectomy, an endocrine procedure, is the surgical resection of all or part of the thyroid gland, a vital butterfly-shaped gland that plays a crucial role in producing important hormones for your body.
There are different techniques used for a thyroidectomy, and the way in which the procedure is carried out is uniquely tailored to your situation and reason for the surgery. It can be done openly or minimally invasively, depending on your eligibility.