A diagnosis of breast cancer is an overwhelming experience for a woman, and can fill her mind with endless questions. Will I be okay? How do I tell my family? What kind of treatment will I need? Will my breasts look the same after surgery?

When a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer, she’ll meet with an oncologist to determine the best course of action to get rid of the cancer. In some cases, surgery is required. The oncologist will meet with a surgeon to find the most appropriate surgery for the woman’s specific type of cancer.

Breast Cancer Surgery Types

  • Lumpectomy: removal of the tumor and small amounts of surrounding tissue
  • Mastectomy: removal of all breast tissue
  • Lymph Node Removal: removal of cancerous lymph nodes, often during a lumpectomy or mastectomy
  • Breast Reconstruction: rebuilding of the breast after surgery
  • Prophylactic Mastectomy: preventative removal of the breast due to the risk of cancer

Oncoplastic Breast Cancer Surgery

Jessica Rayhanabad, M.D., medical director, breast surgery, MemorialCare Breast Center, Long Beach Medical Center, specializes in oncoplastic breast surgery. Dr. Rayhanabad uses an aesthetic approach to breast cancer treatment by removing the cancer while also preserving and rebuilding the breast to maintain its natural look and feel. This type of conservation surgery removes the cancer, reshapes the breast and is a “win-win” situation by removing the cancer and improving the appearance of the breast t the same time.

Oncoplastic breast surgery combines the expertise of a breast oncologist and the techniques of a plastic surgeon to preserve the physical appearance of the breast while removing the cancer. These surgeries may help women feel more confident after breast surgery.

Intraoperative Radiation Therapy (IORT)

Intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) integrates a lumpectomy (the removal of a tumor from the breast) and radiation treatment into a single surgery. During IORT, a precise, concentrated radiation dose is delivered to the tumor area immediately after it’s removed.

Typically, standard radiation therapy involves five days of treatment per week, for a total of five to six weeks. With IORT, radiation oncologists can deliver a similar dose of radiation during the surgery. This helps to reduce side effects and minimize the time spent going back and forth to the hospital for ongoing radiation treatments.

MemorialCare Breast Center at Long Beach Medical Center

The MemorialCare Breast Center at Long Beach Medical Center is recognized as a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence by the American College of Radiology and is accredited by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers.

Our breast cancer care teams works with you to develop an individualized treatment plan unique to your cancer. The team will be with you from diagnosis to surgery and through survivorship.

Call 1.800.MEMORIAL or visit memorialcare.org/LBBreast to learn more.