Surgical excision is a medical procedure that involves the removal of abnormal or diseased tissue from the body. Breast tissue is often removed during a surgical excision to treat breast cancer. The goal of this surgery is to remove all of the cancerous tissue while sparing as much healthy tissue as possible. It is also performed for the following reasons:
- Relieve advanced cancer symptoms
- Determine whether cancer has extended along with the lymph nodes
- Obtain a tissue sample for biopsy
In some cases, excision of a breast may be performed as a preventive measure for people who are at high risk for breast cancer, such as those with a strong family history of the disease. If you are considering having a surgical excision, it is important to understand all of the risks and benefits associated with this procedure.
Surgical excision of breast tissue is usually done under general anaesthesia, which means you will be asleep during the procedure. Your surgeon will make an incision in the skin over the area of your breast where the cancerous tissue is located. The surgeon will then remove the cancerous tissue and some surrounding healthy tissue. The removed tissue will be sent to a laboratory for testing.
In some cases, the surgeon may also remove lymph nodes from under your arm to determine whether cancer has spread. The incision will be closed with stitches and you will be taken to a recovery room to rest. The entire procedure itself takes about two hours.