Breast cancer surgery: is it safe?

If you’re going to have breast cancer surgery, it’s understandable if you feel worried about the procedure itself and what you can expect to happen on the day. One of our top surgeons Mr Jalal Kokan answers the questions that you may have around breast cancer surgery, including just how safe the operation is and how long it takes.

Is breast cancer surgery a dangerous procedure?​

Breast cancer surgery is very safe. The most commonly performed breast cancer operations, such as a lumpectomy and a mastectomy, take around one or two hours and almost all women go home either on the same or the next day.
 

Is a lumpectomy considered a major surgery?

The lumpectomy operation takes around one hour to do and is oftentimes done as a day case, and is considered to be what is known as “intermediate surgery.”
 

What type of anaesthesia is used?

The operation is done under general anaesthesia, making the operation “intermediate surgery” rated.
 

Can a lumpectomy cause cancer to spread?

During the lumpectomy procedure, the surgeon goes around the cancer to remove it, so it is not possible for the cancer to spread during the lumpectomy.
 

How long do you stay in hospital after breast cancer surgery?

The duration of stay in the hospital depends on the type of surgery. After a lumpectomy or a mastectomy, most of the women go home either on the same day or the next day.

After breast reconstruction surgery, the patient stay often varies from two to five days depending on the type of reconstructive surgery.

After implant surgery, only those women who opt for reconstruction surgery are home in two days, whereas after Lattisimus Dorsi or free flap type of reconstruction women stay for around about five days.
 

How soon do you start radiation after a lumpectomy?

Following a lumpectomy, if chemotherapy is not needed, then the radiotherapy treatment will commence six weeks after the surgery. If chemotherapy is necessary and required, the radiotherapy will start on completion of chemotherapy treatment in six months after surgery.

Do not hesitate to book an appointment with Mr Kokan if you would like to discuss your options surgery, following a breast cancer diagnosis.