Breast Cancer Surgery Adelaide

Death rates from breast cancer in Australia have reduced by over 40% thanks in large part to research in prevention, early detection and new and improved breast cancer treatments.

Statistics from – National Breast Cancer Foundation.

Dr Rice consults with patients from all over Adelaide in relation to Breast Cancer Surgery including 480 Specialist Centre, Calvary North Adelaide Hospital, Calvary Central Districts Hospital.

Breast Cancer Surgery Adelaide

Breast cancer surgery is the primary treatment for most types of breast cancer and is usually combined with other treatment approaches depending on the diagnosis and situation.

There are different types of surgery for breast cancer. The type you have depends on:

Your specific diagnosis and personal situation
The size and the location of the cancer in your breast
The size of your breast/s

Breast Conserving Surgery

Surgery to remove only the area of cancer in the breast is called breast conserving surgery (also called a complete local excision, lumpectomy, partial mastectomy or wide local excision). Breast conserving surgery involves removing the breast cancer and a small amount of healthy tissue around it (called the surgical margin).

Breast conserving surgery is an option if the breast cancer is small enough compared to the size of the breast to allow removal of the cancer and the surgical margin and still give an acceptable appearance.

How much breast is removed depends on where and how big the tumor is, as well as other factors and considerations. Some women also have one or more lymph nodes removed from the armpit.

Radiotherapy to the breast is usually recommended after breast conserving surgery. Dr Rice uses oncoplastic techniques to enable both good cosmetic outcomes and cancer clearance.

Mastectomy (breast removal)

Dr. Rice performs three types of mastectomy including:

(1) Total Mastectomy
(2) Skin Sparing Mastectomy
(3) Nipple Sparing Mastectomy

Please see below for further information:

(1) Total or Simple Mastectomy

A total or simple mastectomy involves removing the entire breast, including the nipple, areola, and surrounding skin and sometimes other nearby tissues.

Some underarm lymph nodes may or may not be removed depending on the specific situation.

If you need, or choose to have a mastectomy, you may consider having breast reconstruction surgery.

(2) Skin Sparing Mastectomy

During skin-sparing mastectomy, Dr Rice removes most or all of the breast tissue including the nipple through a small opening and preserves as much of the breast skin as possible. The remaining skin provides the best shape and form to accommodate an implant or a breast reconstruction using your own tissue.

This method is an option for many women who desire to have immediate breast reconstruction after mastectomy.

Many women prefer skin-sparing mastectomy because it offers the advantage of less scar tissue and a reconstructed breast that seems more natural. This approach may not be suitable for larger tumors or those that are close to the skin surface.

(3) Nipple Sparing Mastectomy

During nipple-sparing mastectomy Dr Rice removes the breast tissue, but the breast skin and nipple are left in place (this surgery is a variation of a skin sparing mastectomy).

The main objectives of the nipple-sparing mastectomy is to remove all breast tissue affected by or at risk of cancer and preserve the nipple-areolar complex and skin covering with its blood supply. This can be followed by a breast reconstruction.

Dr Rice may recommend this procedure as an option if the tumour does not involve the nipple or tissue below the areola.

Breast Cancer Surgical Procedure – What to expect

Before your surgery Dr Rice will ensure you fully understand the procedure and what will happen in the lead up and post procedure care.

The general events on the day of surgery may include the following:

Hospital arrival and administrative paperwork finalised and checked
Change into hospital gown and receive surgical briefing from Dr Rice and his team (he will answer any of your questions)
You will be taken to the operating room and given general anesthesia (the operation will take place whilst you are asleep)
Dr Rice will perform the surgery to remove the tumor and breast tissue (tissue samples will be sent to the laboratory for analysis)
If required – The breast reconstructive process will take place
After surgery – The opening is closed (a small plastic tube may be sewn into place in order to allow the surgery site to drain fluid).

The surgery will most likely take 1-2 hours. After surgery you will be taken to the recovery room and monitored closely by the nursing staff. After you are stable you will be taken to the ward and Dr Rice will meet with you to discuss the surgery.

After breast cancer surgery, the wounds and surrounding tissues will take time to heal. The length of the recovery process will depend on the procedure that took place.

Breast Cancer Surgery Adelaide

Potential risks and complications

All surgeries carry risks and potential complications. Breast surgery risks may include but not limited to:

Potential Risk	Description	Chance of Occurring
Post-operative bleeding	This may occur round the surgical site.	Less than 5%
Wound infection	Wound infection is rare after surgery. If an infection does occur, consult nursing staff and Dr Rice for evaluation immediately.	Less than 5%
Need for Further Surgery	Further surgery may be needed in some cases depending on your circumstances and further test results.	10%

What to expect after the operation

Dr Rice will see you one week after your surgery to discuss your results and to check your recovery is going to plan.

After the procedure – After surgery, you’re moved to a recovery room where the health care team monitors your recovery from the surgery and the anesthesia. Once you’re fully conscious, you’ll be moved to a hospital ward room.

A drain may be placed under the incision area for those having mastectomy, reconstruction and axillary lymph node dissection. This drain is usually removed a few days after surgery.

After surgery, you may experience some pain near the surgical area. Dr Rice will discuss a pain management plan with you and hospital staff are on hand to ensure you are comfortable and to help monitor your pain levels.

You’ll be able to eat and drink as usual after surgery. Depending on the type of surgery you had, you may be able to go home the day of your procedure or Dr Rice may recommend that you stay overnight in the hospital.

When you go home, you can get your dressings wet in the shower and pat them dry. They usually stay on for 14 days. You can usually return to your regular activities within a few days. Gentle shoulder exercises can be performed from the day after surgery. Wait at least two weeks before doing any heavy lifting or vigorous activity.

It may take up to a year or more for the scar from surgery to fade. A follow up appointment with Dr Rice will be organised to discuss test results and follow up appointments and tests.

Breast Cancer Surgeon Adelaide

DR SAMUEL RICE – MBBS, FRACS.
If you have any questions, please contact my rooms and one of my team members will get back to you during business hours.

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Dr Rice is a proud member of Breast Surgeons of Australia and New Zealand.

Breast Cancer Surgery Adelaide

Dr Rice consults with patients from all over Adelaide in relation to Breast Surgery including Breast Cancer Surgery, Lymph Node Surgery and Ultrasound Guided Biopsy. Dr Rice is supported by a dedicated team who provide information and care in a sensitive and supportive manner to address the needs of patients attending the hospital and undertaking surgery and recovery. Dr Rice consults from three locations including Calvary North Adelaide Hospital, Calvary Central Districts Hospital and 480 Specialist Centre.