4 Reasons You May Need Breast Surgery

Some breast surgeries are performed as elective procedures. For example, you can choose to undergo surgery to achieve a larger cup size or lift breasts that sag due to gravity, breastfeeding, or weight loss. 

These aren’t the only reasons a woman might need breast surgery, however. At Lakeland Surgical Clinic, PLLC, located in Jackson, Mississippi, we often perform breast surgery for medically necessary reasons. Here are four primary reasons you might require breast surgery.

Cancerous tumor

A cancerous, or malignant, tumor is a serious diagnosis. If not treated early, it can grow larger and invade nearby tissue and lymph nodes. With time, cancer cells penetrate other parts of the body.

Surgery to remove a malignant tumor removes the mass (or masses) and a margin of the surrounding tissue that may have been affected by the cancer. If any lymph nodes were infiltrated, they’ll be removed as well. 

Some women who have recurrent breast cancer or multiple malignancies may need a total mastectomy, or removal of all breast tissue. 

Noncancerous tumors

The vast majority of breast tumors — up to 80% — are benign, or not cancerous. 

Although they don’t pose a risk to other tissues in the body, they can be uncomfortable and interfere with normal breast function. Here are three examples of noncancerous breast tumors.

Fibroadenoma

This is a type of benign tumor that often occurs in women between the ages of 18 and 35. Fibroadenoma are solid lumps of fibrous and glandular tissue. If you have bothersome fibroadenomas, you may need surgery to have them removed. 

Papillomas

Papillomas present as small wart-like lumps that grow near the nipple. They develop in the lining of the mammary ducts and can cause unusual discharge from your nipples. 

Fat necrosis

If the fat in your breast tissue gets damaged — through radiation, surgery, or injury — it could create a lump that looks and feels a lot like breast cancer. These lumps are generally harmless and don’t need to be treated unless they cause serious pain or discomfort. 

Reconstruction

If you’ve had a lump removed or a mastectomy, breast reconstruction restores the symmetry and shape of your chest. You may opt for implant-based reconstruction, which uses breast implants to create a new shape. Flap reconstruction is another option in which our team uses tissue from another part of your body to form a new breast. 

The type that’s best for you depends on your body type and desired look. We work with you to create the best possible outcome.

Breast reduction

Some women have excess breast tissue that causes back pain, self-consciousness, and makes it hard to fit into clothes. Some women even develop deep grooves in their shoulders due to the weight pulling on their bra straps. Exercise can be difficult and uncomfortable when you have large breasts. 

Surgery to reduce the size of overly large breasts can relieve pain, discomfort, and embarrassment. It can provide tremendous relief to women who have carried too much on their chest for too long.

Trust the team at Lakeland Surgical Clinic, PLLC, for your general surgery needs. The compassionate, skilled team uses the latest technology to treat your condition and get you healed as quickly as possible. If you need breast surgery or another major procedure, call the office in Jackson, Mississippi, for a consultation or use the online tool to schedule your appointment.