Do you always have chemo after a mastectomy?
For most patients, the mastectomy is performed first and is followed by chemotherapy or other suitable treatments. But some patients have better success if that order is reversed and they receive chemotherapy before their surgery.
Who needs chemo after mastectomy?
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.
Do you need chemo or radiation after a mastectomy?
Women who have a mastectomy are typically treated with radiation if the cancer is found in the lymph nodes. Some patients who have a SLNB that shows cancer in a few lymph nodes might not have the rest of their lymph nodes removed to check for more cancer.
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.