Breast Cancer Surgery

Although not every cancer needs chemotherapy and not every treatment needs radiation, almost every breast cancer treatment will include some form of surgery. Your breast cancer treatment journey at OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center, Oklahoma’s only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-Designated Cancer Center, most likely starts by visiting with our breast cancer surgery team.

Personalized Breast Cancer Treatment

When you choose OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center for your care, you’ll work with experts in breast cancer and surgical oncology to develop a personalized treatment plan that incorporates an accurate diagnosis and the best surgical approach to address your specific situation.

Tumor Board Team of Experts Focused on Your Situation

Your breast cancer surgeon meets with a team of OU Health doctors during a weekly gathering known as the Stephenson Cancer Center Tumor Board. At that time, they discuss the particular circumstances of each person in their care who faces a cancer diagnosis. They also develop individual treatment plans, which may range from a surgery-first approach to a chemotherapy-first recommendation followed by surgery, depending on the type and stage of the disease.

Specialized High-Risk Breast Cancer Program

If your medical or family history indicates a high risk for the disease, your surgeon, doctor or care team may suggest joining the OU Health high-risk breast cancer program. Designed to help identify genetic mutations or other risk factors, the program may recommend closer monitoring (surveillance) with mammograms and, potentially, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exams. Depending on your particular situation, you may benefit from one or more precautionary (prophylactic) mastectomies to prevent cancer from arising.

Your Breast Cancer Surgery Options

Regardless of the type of breast cancer, surgery continues to play a key role in treatment and includes a check of lymph nodes to determine their involvement, if any. As you consider a surgical procedure, your OU Health surgeon will help you understand your options, which may range from breast conservation surgery to mastectomy.

• Lumpectomy – Removes only the tumor while keeping the majority of the breasts intact; most commonly used for small, early-stage breast cancers, followed by radiation therapy to reduce risk of recurrence; typically paired with oncoplastic procedure to improve final cosmetic results when feasible
• Mastectomy – Removes entire breast to treat or prevent breast cancer; one of the most aggressive and effective treatment options, which may help avoid the need for post-surgery radiation therapy
• Reconstruction – Restores breast appearance following surgery; may transfer tissue from another area of the body (known as a flap) or use a silicone implant; may be performed at the same time as the mastectomy or later

Related OU Health Services

As you and your breast cancer surgery team review the treatment plan created for you or your loved one, take time to explore related OU Health services, including:

• Breast cancer care at Stephenson Cancer Center
• Clinical trials
• Patient navigation services
• Surgery services
• Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
• Supportive Care

Your Expert Breast Cancer Surgery Team

When you choose OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center for breast cancer care, you’ll work with a surgical oncology team of highly trained, board-certified surgeons who guide you through every step from pre-surgery planning to post-op recovery.

With their leadership and years of extensive experience in diagnosing and treating all types and stages of breast cancer, including the use of surgical procedures, these experts led our team to become Oklahoma’s first certified breast center designated by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC). That means you’re sure to receive the highest level of care in the region.