Breast Cancer Reoperation Remains a Possibility


Posted August 26, 2016 by Southlake

The founder and lead surgeon of Southlake Oncology talks about the need for some women to undergo second surgeries.

 
Southlake, TX, Aug. 17, 2016 – Facing surgery to battle breast cancer can be trying enough for a woman the first time around. Unfortunately, some women may find themselves facing this possibility again within a few weeks or months of their first operation. The need for breast cancer reoperation is always a possibility during treatment, but the rates at which surgeons find themselves going back in can vary greatly from clinician to clinician.

“The reasons prompting reoperation are many,” explains Dr. Gregory Echt, founder and lead surgeon at Southlake Oncology, a Choice Cancer Center. “Concerns about a failure to achieve clean margins and surgical complications tend to top the list. While never a desirable eventuality for either the surgeon or the patient, sometimes it is simply necessary.”

A recent study conducted in New York State shed light on the reoperation rate there in regard to patients who underwent breast conserving surgery, also known as a lumpectomy. The study looked at nearly 90,000 patients treated between 2003 and 2013 for breast cancer. The overall reoperation rate during the first 90 days after surgery came in around 31 percent. The number represented a slight decrease from data collected in earlier years. Researchers noted the need for second procedures did vary greatly based on individual surgeons.

“Breast conserving surgery is often recommended in low-risk cases where this less drastic intervention can provide the treatment results necessary to preserve life and stop cancer’s spread,” Dr. Echt says. “Women who choose this path, however, do need to be aware a second procedure may sometimes be necessary, especially if margins are later deemed a concern.”

Women who are diagnosed with breast cancer should discuss all treatment options with their healthcare providers. It is important to fully understand the potential benefits and risks associated with each option before choosing a treatment path.

About Southlake Oncology
Southlake Oncology, located in the Southlake and Grapevine area is a community-focused oncology practice that delivers exceptional care to North Texas cancer patients with a variety of cancer diagnoses and blood disorders. Like the other Choice Cancer Care facilities, we are an independent treatment center that is physician-owned.
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Issued By Choice Cancer Care Southlake
Website Choice Cancer Care Southlake
Phone (817) 416-0202
Business Address 431 E. State Hwy. 114, Suite 470
Country United States
Categories Health
Tags cancer clinic texas , cancer therapy texas
Last Updated August 26, 2016