Frequently Asked Questions About Breast Cancer

This content has been reviewed and approved by

William J. Gradishar, MD FACP
Director, Breast Medical Oncology, Professor of Medicine
Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine

Our oncologists have been asked many questions specific to breast cancer. We have created a specific section just for those questions and answers.

Here is a recent question and answer. (For more, just scroll down to the index of categories).

Is there a way to avoid a mastectomy?

Mastectomy or complete removal of the breast is not necessary in all women with breast cancer. It used to be the standard in every woman many decades ago when it was believed that breast cancer spread directly from the tumor, and that if we could remove enough tissue around the tumor, we could cure this type of cancer.

It is now understood that in most cases, any spread of cancer occurs at a relatively early stage through the lymphatic channels and bloodstream rather than spreading by direct extension from the tumor. Multiple studies after that realization showed that complete removal of the lump and irradiating the remaining breast tissue produces equivalent survival compared to a complete mastectomy.

Whether or not you are a candidate for mastectomy depends not only on the size and location of the tumor, but also the ratio of the tumor size to the breast. Only your surgeon can determine whether or not mastectomy can be avoided. Additional considerations may apply if you are not a good candidate for receiving radiation after only a partial breast removal.

More FAQs in Breast Cancer: 

Diagnosis 

Staging 

Surgery 

Radiation 

Chemotherapy 

Antihormonal Therapy 

Antibody Therapy 

Metastatic Disease