Breast Surgery
Advances in breast surgery mean women with breast cancer can now access highly targeted procedures with less scarring and downtime. Whether you need a simple diagnostic procedure or reconstruction after breast cancer, our team of skilled, board-certified surgeons includes breast specialists who offer comprehensive, individualized care.
If you’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer, connect with a breast cancer care navigator to discuss your care or schedule an appointment.
Breast Care & Surgery Program
The Beaufort Memorial Breast Care & Surgery Program offers expert, comprehensive breast health services for a full range of diseases, from benign breast conditions to breast cancer. The program is one of several cancer care initiatives between Beaufort Memorial and Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) Health. Through the affiliation, patients at Beaufort Memorial have access to a local, fellowship-trained breast oncology surgeon, promising clinical trials and subspecialists experienced in treating rare or complex cancers.
Located in Beaufort Memorial’s nationally accredited Breast Health Center in Okatie, the program provides a full complement of screening and diagnostic services, as well as genetics testing and high risk assessment for early identification and surveillance of genetic cancers. Its board-certified surgeon works with a team of clinicians — among them radiation and medical oncologists, breast nurse navigators and social workers — to address the physical and emotional aspects of breast disease and to ensure optimal outcomes for every patient.
Surgical Treatment Options
Breast surgery aims to remove cancerous growth from the breast and/or regional lymph nodes.
Sometimes, a diagnosis can't be made with minimally invasive techniques and surgery is required. Surgical breast biopsy is used to rule out or confirm cancer after an abnormal mammogram. It involves removing a small sample of breast tissue for testing.
Lumpectomy, also called a partial mastectomy, is a breast-conserving surgery that involves removing the cancerous tissue from the breast through a small incision while leaving as much of the healthy breast intact as possible. It allows patients to maintain the overall appearance of their breast with as minimal change as possible. Eligibility for this surgery depends on the size and location of the tumor and other factors.
There are several types of mastectomies, based on how the surgery is done and how much tissue is removed (see below). Each patient has different needs and treatment paths. If you need a mastectomy, we work with you to find the right option.
- Nipple-sparing mastectomy: Breast tissue is removed, leaving your skin, nipple and areola behind to allow for a more natural breast reconstruction after surgery.
- Skin-sparing mastectomy: This procedure allows your surgeon to remove breast tissue but leave the skin intact for breast reconstruction. The nipple and areola often get removed along with the breast tissue.
- Simple (or total) mastectomy: This procedure removes the entire breast, including the nipple. Having both breasts removed is called a double mastectomy.
- Radical mastectomy: A combination of simple total mastectomy, removal of all axillary lymph node tissue and removal of chest wall (pectoral) muscles. This is an extensive procedure that is rarely performed in modern breast cancer treatment options.
Breast reconstruction is a procedure or series of procedures coordinated between the breast oncologic surgeon and plastic surgeon to recreate natural-looking breasts. If cancer has affected the appearance of one or both of your breasts, reconstruction using natural tissue or breast implants can help rebuild your confidence and aid healing.