Breast Surgery Procedures & Services
CaroMont Health's breast surgery team is trained in the latest evidence-based techniques, offering a full range of surgical options, from minimally invasive procedures to complex reconstruction. Every plan is tailored to your diagnosis, body and personal goals.
Before Surgery: Diagnosis & Planning
Before any surgical decisions are made, your care team gathers the information needed to understand your diagnosis and recommend the right approach.
3-D Mammography (Tomosynthesis)
A more advanced version of a standard mammogram, 3-D mammography takes multiple images from different angles to build a detailed, three-dimensional picture of your breast tissue. This allows our radiologists to see through overlapping tissue more clearly, so smaller or harder-to-spot areas of concern are less likely to be missed. It also reduces the chance of being called back for additional imaging after a routine screening, which we know can be stressful.
Breast Ultrasound
Breast ultrasound uses sound waves rather than radiation to look at breast tissue in real time. It's often used alongside a mammogram to get a clearer look at a specific area, tell the difference between a fluid-filled cyst and a solid mass or guide a needle during a biopsy. It's safe, painless and especially helpful for patients with dense breast tissue, where a mammogram alone may not tell the full story.
Stereotactic (Image-Guided) Breast Biopsy
This minimally invasive procedure uses imaging to guide a small needle to an area of concern, allowing us to take a tissue sample without open surgery. You'll be positioned comfortably throughout, and most patients go home the same day. Getting answers quickly matters, and this approach helps us move forward with a clear, accurate picture of your health as soon as possible.
Genetic Testing & Counseling
Some breast cancers are linked to inherited gene changes, most commonly in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. A simple blood or saliva test can show whether you carry one of these changes, helping guide decisions about surgery, monitoring and prevention. Our genetic counselors will explain your results in everyday language, talk through your options and help you understand what this information may mean for your family.
Surgical Procedures
Our breast surgeons offer a full range of procedures and will talk through every option with you so you can make a confident, informed decision.
Lumpectomy (Breast-Conserving Surgery)
A lumpectomy removes the tumor and a small amount of surrounding tissue while keeping as much of your breast as possible. For many patients with early-stage breast cancer, lumpectomy followed by radiation offers long-term survival rates similar to mastectomy. Your surgeon will focus on removing the cancer completely while achieving the best possible result for your body.
Mastectomy
A mastectomy removes one or both breasts, either to treat cancer or to reduce the risk of it developing. When appropriate, our surgeons use techniques that preserve the nipple and as much natural skin as possible, which can make reconstruction easier and more natural looking. We know this is a big decision, and we'll take as much time as you need to talk through your options, answer your questions and make sure you feel supported every step of the way.
Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy
When breast cancer is diagnosed, it's important to know whether cancer cells have reached the lymph nodes, the small glands under your arm that help filter fluid in the body. This procedure identifies and removes only the first one or two lymph nodes most likely to be affected rather than a larger number. If those nodes are clear, no further lymph node surgery is typically needed. This targeted approach lowers the risk of side effects like arm swelling (lymphedema) while still giving your care team the information they need.
Breast Reconstruction
After a mastectomy, many patients choose to have their breast or breasts rebuilt. Our breast surgery team works closely with our plastic surgeons to offer options using implants or your own body's tissue to create a natural, long-lasting result. Reconstruction can happen at the same time as your mastectomy or at a later date, depending on what's right for your treatment and your life.
Prophylactic (Preventive) Surgery
For patients with a significantly elevated risk of breast cancer, such as those who carry a BRCA gene mutation, preventive surgery to remove one or both breasts may be an option worth considering. Your care team can also discuss other risk-reducing options based on your personal and family history. We know this is not a decision anyone takes lightly, and our team will approach the conversation with care, honesty and full respect for what you want for your health and your future.