Breast Cancer Specialist

What is breast cancer?

Breast cancer is a condition that develops when abnormal cells begin multiplying inside breast tissue. After skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer found in women. In its earlier stages, breast cancer is usually curable. However, if left untreated, breast cancer is eventually fatal.

Are all breast lumps cancerous?

Not all breast lumps are cancerous. In fact, many lumps in the breast are benign. Other possible causes of breast lumps include:

• Infection
• Injuries to the breast
• Fibroadenomas
• Cysts
• Papillomas
• Granular cell tumors

Although breast lumps may be benign, anyone who finds a lump should seek medical treatment to rule out cancer.

How does Dr. Menken treat breast cancer?

In many cases, surgery will be an important part of a breast cancer treatment plan. Some patients will opt for a procedure known as a lumpectomy. During this procedure, Dr. Menken removes cancerous breast lumps surgically, as well as surrounding tissue that may contain cancer cells. The goal of treatment is to remove all of the cancer while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible.

In cases where breast cancer is extensive or the patient is at a high risk of recurrence, Dr. Menken also performs mastectomy procedures. During mastectomy, Dr. Menken removes the entire breast. Women who choose mastectomy can also have reconstruction surgery to restore the normal appearance of the breast.

Will surgery cure breast cancer?

In some cases, surgical removal of a cancerous lump or the breast itself will be the only treatment required for patients with breast cancer. However, if the cancer has spread, patients may need other treatments as well, such as chemotherapy and/or radiation.

Can Dr. Menken remove a noncancerous breast growth?

Even if a breast lump isn’t cancerous, a patient may still wish to have it removed. Dr. Menken can remove most types of noncancerous breast growths surgically.

What are the risks of breast surgery?

Like all surgical procedures, breast surgery poses a small risk of infection, bleeding, and surgical error. Patients who undergo breast surgery must typically be under general anesthesia, which can be dangerous for some people. Dr. Menken will explain all of these risks before scheduling the procedure.