what is the treatment after mastectomy?

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How long is the recovery time after a mastectomy?

Recovery from a mastectomy typically takes several weeks. However, for some individuals, it may take months. This depends on your overall health as well as the type of procedure you had. When you leave the hospital, you’ll receive information about your recovery at home.

What is the timeline for a recovery for a mastectomy?

Scheduled – (In my case double mastectomy, nipple and skin sparing, with tissue expanders placed) – this is the major one you will need to block out time afterwards for recovery of at least a week to two weeks (more if your job is physical)

Do we need a longer hospital stay after a mastectomy?

Sends Mastectomy Patients Home Early" (Hospital Case Management, 2(7), 117-120), women no longer need a two or three-day hospital stay following a mastectomy. thus a mastectomy can now be performed as outpatient surgery. The ALaS has steadily declined over the last few years. J. R. Johnson's article,

What to expect during and after mastectomy surgery?

• Problems with the anesthesia
• Bleeding
• Blood clots
• Fluid build-up in the breast or the donor site (for a tissue flap), with swelling and pain
• Infection at the surgery site (s)
• Wound healing problems
• Extreme tiredness ( fatigue)

How long does it take to fully recover from a mastectomy?

After a mastectomy without breast reconstruction, it can take three to four weeks to feel mostly normal. If you also have breast reconstruction, recovery can take six to eight weeks. For some procedures, it can take months before you can return to being fully active.

What happens to your body after a mastectomy?

Right after the surgery, you will probably feel weak, and you may feel sore for 2 to 3 days. You may feel pulling or stretching near or under your arm. You may also have itching, tingling, and throbbing in the area. This will get better in a few days.

Do you still need chemo after a mastectomy?

After you have surgery to remove the breast cancer, your doctor may recommend chemotherapy to destroy any undetected cancer cells and reduce your risk of the cancer recurring.

How long can you live after a mastectomy?

81.2% of women who had double mastectomy were alive 10 years after diagnosis. 79.9% of women who had single mastectomy were alive 10 years after diagnosis.

Is there life after a mastectomy?

Women who had one or both breasts surgically removed (a unilateral or bilateral mastectomy) had lower scores on a quality-of-life survey, indicating worse quality of life, than women who had surgery to remove just the tumor and some nearby healthy tissue (breast-conserving surgery), researchers found.

Do I need radiotherapy after mastectomy?

Radiotherapy after removal of the breast (mastectomy) You might need radiotherapy after a mastectomy if there is a risk of the cancer coming back. Your doctor may suggest you have it if: you have cancer cells in the lymph nodes in the armpit (axilla) cancer cells are seen close to the removed breast tissue.

Is having a mastectomy painful?

Reports indicate that 40 to 60 percent of patients who undergo mastectomy suffer from chronic pain — pain lasting longer than three months.

What comes first chemo or radiation?

Radiation generally starts after chemotherapy is done.

What is breast reconstruction?

Many women who have a mastectomy—surgery to remove an entire breast to treat or prevent breast cancer—have the option of having the shape of the re...

How do surgeons use implants to reconstruct a woman's breast?

Implants are inserted underneath the skin or chest muscle following the mastectomy. (Most mastectomies are performed using a technique called skin-...

How do surgeons use tissue from a woman's own body to reconstruct the breast?

In autologous tissue reconstruction, a piece of tissue containing skin, fat, blood vessels, and sometimes muscle is taken from elsewhere in a wom...

How do surgeons reconstruct the nipple and areola?

After the chest heals from reconstruction surgery and the position of the breast mound on the chest wall has had time to stabilize, a surgeon can r...

What factors can affect the timing of breast reconstruction?

One factor that can affect the timing of breast reconstruction is whether a woman will need radiation therapy . Radiation therapy can sometimes ca...

What factors can affect the choice of breast reconstruction method?

Several factors can influence the type of reconstructive surgery a woman chooses. These include the size and shape of the breast that is being re...

Will health insurance pay for breast reconstruction?

The Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998 (WHCRA) is a federal law that requires group health plans and health insurance companies that offe...

What type of follow-up care and rehabilitation is needed after breast reconstruction?

Any type of reconstruction increases the number of side effects a woman may experience compared with those after a mastectomy alone. A woman’s me...

Does breast reconstruction affect the ability to check for breast cancer recurrence?

Studies have shown that breast reconstruction does not increase the chances of breast cancer coming back or make it harder to check for recurrence...

What to do after mastectomy?

Treatment after mastectomy. Some women might get other treatments after a mastectomy, such as hormone therapy to help lower the risk of the cancer coming back . Some women might also need chemotherapy, or targeted therapy after surgery.

How long does it take to recover from a mastectomy?

In general, women having a mastectomy stay in the hospital for 1 or 2 nights and then go home. How long it takes to recover from surgery depends on what procedures were done, and some women may need help at home. Most women should be fairly functional after going home and can often return to their regular activities within about 4 weeks. Recovery time is longer if breast reconstruction was done as well, and it can take months to return to full activity after some procedures.

What is the procedure to remove breast cancer?

Mastectomy is breast cancer surgery that removes the entire breast. A mastectomy may be done: When a woman cannot be treated with breast-conserving surgery (lumpectomy), which spares most of the breast. If a woman chooses mastectomy over breast-conserving surgery for personal reasons. For women at very high risk of getting a second breast cancer ...

What is removed during breast reconstruction?

Only the breast tissue, nipple and areola are removed. The amount of breast tissue removed is the same as with a simple mastectomy and implants or tissue from other parts of the body can be used during the surgery to reconstruct the breast.

What is double mastectomy?

Double mastectomy. When both breasts are removed, it is called a double (or bilateral) mastectomy. Double mastectomy is done as a risk-reducing surgery for women at very high risk for getting breast cancer, such as those with a BRCA gene mutation. Most of these mastectomies are simple mastectomies, but some may be nipple-sparing.

How long does it take to recover from breast reconstruction?

Recovery time is longer if breast reconstruction was done as well, and it can take months to return to full activity after some procedures. Ask your health care team how to care for your surgery site and arm. Usually, you and your caregivers will get written instructions about care after surgery.

What is removed from the breast?

The surgeon removes the entire breast, axillary (underarm) lymph nodes, and the pectoral (chest wall) muscles under the breast . This surgery was once very common, but less extensive surgery (such as the modified radical mastectomy) has been found to be just as effective and with fewer side effects.

What to do after stitches are removed?

Activity. Avoid strenuous activity, heavy lifting and vigorous exercise until the stitches are removed. Tell your caregiver what you do and he or she will help you make a personal plan for "what you can do when" after surgery. Walking is a normal activity that can be restarted right away.

How long does it take for breast sutures to be removed?

Follow-up appointments are generally made before surgery with your physician and a nurse. Your sutures will be removed in approximately 10 to 14 days. Call the Breast Care Center if you do not have or remember your appointment. Your dressing will be changed or removed at your post-operative visit.

What is metastatic breast cancer?

Metastatic breast cancer is cancer that originated in the breast and has spread to other organ systems in the body. Learn more here. Different services and information are needed at different points in breast health care and breast cancer treatment. Learn more here.

What is the goal of pain management after surgery?

The goal of pain management is to assess your own level of discomfort and to take medication as needed. You will have better results controlling your pain if you take pain medication before your pain is severe. You will be given a prescription ...

How long after surgery can you shower?

You may shower one day after the drain (s) is out and if you have a plastic dressing. If you have gauze and paper tape, you may remove it two days after surgery and shower after that. Use a towel to dry your incision thoroughly after showering. Be careful not to touch or remove the steri-strips or sutures.

What is the normal temperature after surgery?

A low-grade fever that is under 100 degrees Fahrenheit is normal the day after surgery. You will have a Jackson-Pratt (JP) drain after your surgery. This drain is a plastic tube from under the skin to outside your body with a bulb attached to it. Empty the drain two to three times per day or when the bulb is full.

Is breast reconstruction covered by insurance?

Breast Reconstruction. Breast reconstruction, surgery to rebuild a breast's shape, is often an option after mastectomy and is covered by some health insurance plans. Learn more now. Follow-Up Care for Breast Cancer Patients.

How long does it take to recover from mastectomy?

Everyone’s experience is different but the average hospital stay is 1-3 days. If opting for a mastectomy and reconstruction at the same time, patients can expect to stay longer.

What is the recovery process after breast cancer surgery?

Checklist for Recovery. After Mastectomy . One of the most common methods of treatment for breast cancer is surgery. When a patient undergoes a mastectomy (partial or bilateral), a lumpectomy, or even reconstruction, the healing process can come with its own set of challenges. After surgery, patients will be moved to a recovery room ...

What to bring to a hospital?

What to bring to the hospital: 1 Front button and loose-fitting shirts 2 Yoga pants 3 Pillow for support under the arm or seatbelt 4 Slip-on shoes 5 Snacks 6 Phone charger

What is the first stage of mastectomy?

In the first stage, the surgeon places a device, called a tissue expander, under the skin that is left after the mastectomy or under the chest muscle ( 1, 2). The expander is slowly filled with saline during periodic visits to the doctor after surgery.

Where are implants placed after mastectomy?

Implants are inserted underneath the skin or chest muscle following the mastectomy. (Most mastectomies are performed using a technique called skin-sparing mastectomy, in which much of the breast skin is saved for use in reconstructing the breast.) Implants are usually placed as part of a two-stage procedure.

What is the tissue used to rebuild breasts?

In autologous tissue reconstruction, a piece of tissue containing skin, fat, blood vessels, and sometimes muscle is taken from elsewhere in a woman’s body and used to rebuild the breast. This piece of tissue is called a flap. Different sites in the body can provide flaps for breast reconstruction.

What is autologous breast reconstruction?

Autologous tissue breast reconstruction is usually reserved for after radiation therapy, so that the breast and chest wall tissue damaged by radiation can be replaced with healthy tissue from elsewhere in the body. Another factor is the type of breast cancer.

What is the procedure called when breasts are reshaped?

This type of breast-conserving surgery, called oncoplastic surgery, may use local tissue rearrangement, reconstruction through breast reduction surgery, or transfer of tissue flaps.

Why do breast reconstructions not need to be reconnected?

Because the blood supply to the tissue used for reconstruction is left intact, blood vessels do not need to be reconnected once the tissue is moved. With free flaps, the tissue is cut free from its blood supply. It must be attached to new blood vessels in the breast area, using a technique called microsurgery.

What is the law that requires a group health plan to cover mastectomy?

The Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998 (WHCRA) is a federal law that requires group health plans and health insurance companies that offer mastectomy coverage to also pay for reconstructive surgery after mastectomy.

What is the term for the surgical removal of the breast to treat breast cancer?

Email. A total mastectomy is the surgical removal of the entire breast to treat breast cancer. A physician may recommend this treatment on its own or in combination with another therapy, such as chemotherapy. When chemotherapy is provided after surgery, it is called adjuvant chemotherapy.

Can cancer cells be removed after breast surgery?

The location of cancer cells – If cancer is detected in the lymph nodes or has spread to areas outside of the breast tissue, chemotherapy will likely be recommended to remove any cancer cells that remain following the surgery.

Is chemotherapy recommended after mastectomy?

When chemotherapy is provided after surgery, it is called adjuvant chemotherapy. Whether or not chemotherapy is recommended following a total mastectomy will depend on many different factors, including the patient’s overall health, age and medical history as well as the type, stage and nature of the breast cancer.

Can you have a total mastectomy with chemotherapy?

If your physician has recommended that you have a total mastectomy, you may be wondering if your unique circumstances may require that you receive chemotherapy as well. Some of the factors that influence this decision include: The type of cancer – Chemotherapy may not be recommended for certain forms of breast cancer, such as in situ cancers, ...

Can you have chemo after a mastectomy?

For other types of cancers, such as triple negative breast cancers or HER2-positive breast cancers, chemotherapy may be recommended following the total mastectomy because these forms of cancer are typically more aggressive.

What is the best treatment for a mastectomy?

Following the mastectomy, a doctor may recommend radiation therapy or chemotherapy to shrink a tumor or destroy any remaining cancer cells. These treatments can also affect wound healing. A woman should monitor the wound for signs of infection, such as warmth, redness, or discharge.

What is a mastectomy?

Simple or total mastectomy. This type of mastectomy is a surgical approach that involves removing the breast, areola, and nipple. Sometimes, a surgeon will also remove the lymph nodes as well if they show signs of cancer.

What is a modified radical mastectomy?

Modified radical mastectomy. Similar to a simple mastectomy, this approach involves removing all breast tissue plus lymph nodes in the breast and armpit. The surgeon often leaves the chest wall intact. A modified radical mastectomy will result in a large, visible scar on the chest.

How do mastectomy scars heal?

Despite the different approaches, most mastectomy scars heal in a horizontal line across the chest, a diagonal line, or sometimes in a half moon shape. Often, the incision type and resulting scar depend upon the original location of the breast cancer lesion. Surgical approaches have significantly developed ...

How long does it take for a mastectomy scar to fade?

Mastectomy scars can take months or several years to fade but never disappear entirely. Breast reconstruction can improve their appearance. In this article, we look at different approaches to mastectomy and how these affect scarring. We also explain how to treat post-mastectomy scars.

How long does it take for a breast augmentation scar to fade?

Mastectomy scars can take months or several years to fade but never disappear entirely.

What is the procedure called when you have a breast removed?

A mastectomy is a surgical procedure for treating breast cancer and usually results in scarring. Some types of mastectomy leave more scarring than other ones. During a mastectomy, a surgeon removes tissue from one or both breasts, taking out either a portion or the whole breast. The scarring afterward depends on the location and type ...

How long does it take to recover from a mastectomy?

While recovering from surgery, most people have some pain. With a mastectomy, it can take three to four weeks to feel mostly normal. If you also have breast reconstruction, recovery can take six to eight weeks. For some procedures, it can take months before you can return to being fully active.

Why do you need a prophylactic mastectomy?

Some other reasons to consider a prophylactic mastectomy: A strong history of breast cancer in your family .

What is the procedure to remove breasts that are not cancerous?

Risk-reducing surgery explained. Prophylactic mastectomy (also known as risk-reducing surgery) is performed on women who don’t have breast cancer but who choose to have both breasts removed. You might choose this option if your breast cancer risk is very high.

Why is a contralateral mastectomy more likely to be a risk factor?

Because you also have one of the inherited gene mutations that put you at greater risk. The benefit of having a contralateral prophylactic mastectomy is more likely for someone who has cancer and a higher genetic risk for cancer. The benefit is not as clear for those who don’t have those other risk factors.

What is a modified radical mastectomy?

A modified radical mastectomy removes the entire breast and axillary lymph nodes under the arm. A nipple-sparing mastectomy is a mastectomy procedure that saves a part of the breast. Both the skin and the nipple are preserved. This surgery is more likely to be an option if you have very early-stage cancer that is not located near ...

What is breast reconstruction?

Choices for reconstruction include breast reconstruction using breast implants or what’s known as tissue flap surgery, which reconstructs the breast by using muscle, fat and skin taken from other parts of the body. At the end of the surgery, the area is closed with stitches.

How does removing the ovaries reduce the risk of breast cancer?

This involves removing both ovaries and fallopian tubes. According to NCI, this procedure may reduce the risk of ovarian cancer by about 90 percent, while also reducing the risk of breast cancer by about 50 percent for women at very high risk. Removing the ovaries may reduce the amount of estrogen produced in a premenopausal woman.

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