Breast Cancer Surgery

Surgery as part of breast cancer care

Treatment for breast cancer is planned for each patient and often involves a team, which may include a surgeon, a medical oncologist, a radiation oncologist and your primary care doctor. Surgery is a central part of treatment for many patients.

Types of breast cancer surgery

Dr. Tufts performs:

• Lumpectomy (breast-conserving surgery): removes the cancer along with a margin of surrounding healthy tissue.
• Mastectomy: removes the breast tissue.
• Sentinel lymph node biopsy: removes the first lymph node or nodes that drain the breast, to check whether the cancer has spread.

Which operation is best depends on the type and size of the cancer, other test results, and your preferences. Dr. Tufts will review your options with you and coordinate with the rest of your care team.

Breast reconstruction

Dr. Tufts does not perform breast reconstruction. If you're interested in reconstruction, he will refer you to a reconstructive (plastic) surgeon, ideally before your cancer operation so the plans can be coordinated.

Where surgery is performed

Dr. Tufts operates at AdventHealth Port Charlotte and Murdock Surgery Center. Consultations and follow-up visits are at the Charlotte Harbor Surgical office in Port Charlotte.