Mastectomy and lymph node removal
The London Clinic provides a full breast care service for women who are worried about their breast health or who have developed breast cancer.
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What is it for?
Breast cancer surgery
Treatment overview
Mastectomy is a procedure to remove a breast and can be the most appropriate treatment for some women with breast cancer.
This type of breast surgery may just remove breast tissue or may also include the removal of lymph nodes in the armpit.
Your expert surgeon will discuss the most appropriate options for you.
A radical mastectomy includes removal of the muscles under the breast and the lymph nodes in the armpit as well as the breast.
In most cases, your breast surgeon will perform a modified radical mastectomy in which the breast muscles are left intact, but the breast tissue and lymph nodes are removed if necessary.
A full discussion in respect of reconstruction will take place with the breast surgeon, the clinical nurse specialist and the plastic reconstructive surgeon outlining the options.
Sentinel node biopsy and axillary surgery
This form of breast surgery can be performed at the same time as a mastectomy to find out if the breast cancer has spread to the nearby lymph nodes in the armpit.
The sentinel node is identified using a radioactive tracer and is removed for histological examination during your breast surgery. There are several possible outcomes:
- If no cancer cells are detected in the sentinel node, your surgeon will confirm that the breast cancer is still localised. Full removal of all the lymph nodes in the armpit may not be needed if this is the case.
- If there is evidence of cancer cells in the sentinel node the surgeon may remove all the nodes in the armpit. This is called axillary dissection. This more extensive surgery may be done at the time of the tumour removal operation, or it can be done during a subsequent procedure.
- If there is evidence of cancer cells in the axillary nodes generally, you may need a secondary node dissection to remove all of the affected tissue.
What happens after your breast surgery?
Your post-surgical care at The London Clinic will begin immediately on a dedicated floor of the hospital that is staffed by nurses specially trained in post-operative breast surgery.
You will also have full access to trained Macmillan counsellors both before and after your breast surgery.
Why choose The London Clinic
Excellence in one place
We operate as teams of experts with world-class resources dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of medical care. You are surrounded by the latest treatments and advice with everything you need to get back to your best health.
Personal care, every time
Exceptional patient care is a way of life for us. Our nurses, clinicians and support teams are dedicated to the care of a very small number of patients, so have more time for you. They’ll be with you every step of the way, tailoring your care around you and giving the peace-of-mind that comes with knowing you’re in the best hands.
Effortlessly simple
We work together as one to guide you through each step of your experience, with complexities unravelled and answers readily to hand. Your personal treatment plan will be laid out for you, with all the details taken care of so you can focus on you.
What's included in your package?
Choosing The London Clinic means your treatment plan will be laid out for you, with all the details taken care of so you can focus on you.
Your treatment package will include:
- Enhanced pre-admission assessment
- Your treatment with our complete care team at your fingertips
- Personalised aftercare and follow-up
We want you to be in control of your health. That’s why we also offer optional services such as comprehensive recovery packages and extra touches for you to choose from during your stay with us.
How to pay
- You can use private medical insurance (PMI) to access this treatment. We work with all major PMI providers in the UK and many internationally
- You can pay for yourself (self-pay)
- If you’re paying for yourself, we have finance options available with Chrysalis