The newest procedure is the sentinel ln bx which is helping to limit the number of people that require any significant amount of tissue to be removed from under the arm and therefore greatly reduces the number of people who may develop swelling in the arm. In the 1800s the standard surgical procedure was the radical mastectomy. By the 1960s this hd been replaced with the modified radical mastectomy which did not remove any muscles from the chest. Starting about this time Veronise in MIlan Italy started working with lumpectomy. In thiscountry the lumpectomy ln dissection and radiation was proven to be as benificitial through the NIH studies and in many other studies.
Further treatment is required for the breast itself.
The radiation is used to decrease the risk of this happening. The steps taken can vary with each surgeon . I then sit with the patient and anyone else they want to bring and have about an hour long lecture about everything. After that I ask them what they want to do. Recovery from surgery depends on what surgery the person has and can vary from a few days to a month.