Procedures
Total Mastectomy Surgery in Baton Rouge
What is a Total Mastectomy?
A total mastectomy is one of several surgical options for treating breast cancer, and the right approach depends on each patient’s diagnosis, anatomy, and personal preferences.
In some cases, it can eliminate the need for radiation while offering outcomes comparable to breast-conserving treatments. Understanding when a mastectomy is recommended helps patients make informed decisions about their care and recovery.
About Total Mastectomy
What are the benefits of a Total Mastectomy?
- Eliminated the need for radiation.
- In many cases, radiation therapy is not required after a mastectomy.
- Equivalent to BCT for some outcomes.
- Studies have shown similar long-term survival rates to BCT with radiation in some populations.
When is a Total Mastectomy used?
- When BCT is not an option due to the size, location, or extent of the cancer.
- When the cancer involves the nipple-areola complex.
- In cases where the patient may not be able to undergo radiation therapy.
Why choose a Total Mastectomy?
- The best treatment choice is not universal; it depends on the stage and characteristics of the cancer, as well as patient preferences.
- For early-stage breast cancer, BCT with radiation has demonstrated similar or even superior overall survival and lower recurrence rates compared to mastectomy alone in several studies.
- BCT requires radiation, which involves a longer treatment course (e.g., daily treatments for several weeks), while a mastectomy may offer a shorter recovery period but can also involve a more complex recovery if reconstruction is pursued.