Hidden Scar™ Surgery for Breast Cancer: Am I a Candidate?

Receiving a diagnosis of breast cancer can be scary and full of unknowns, ranging from your prognosis to how it may affect your appearance. Fortunately, Hidden Scar™ surgery can help many women undergo necessary treatment without suffering from visible scarring. 

At The Breast Place in North Charleston, South Carolina, Dr. Jennifer Beatty and our top-notch team provide care and support for all of your breast needs. Whether you’ve found a suspicious lump or you’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer, we provide education along with medical treatment to empower you to take an active role in your health care.

Identifying breast cancer

Breast cancer is the second most common type of cancer in women in the United States (after skin cancer), and it makes up about one out of every three new cases each year. Women have about a one in eight chance of being diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime.

Diagnosing breast cancer typically includes a physical exam and discussion of possible symptoms. A mammogram, breast ultrasound, or MRI (or combination of these methods) may be used to gather more information.

When your doctor suspects cancer, a biopsy — in which a sample of tissue is removed for testing — may also be done. Results can confirm the existence of cancerous cells as well as potentially provide information including the type, speed of growth, and other details such as whether it’s sensitive to hormones.

Cancer is typically divided into stages — ranging from zero to four — that indicate its extent. Knowing the stage helps determine the treatment plan.

Breast cancer treatment

The good news is deaths from breast cancer have been decreasing since 1989, with an overall drop of 42%. This is likely due to earlier detection along with better and more successful treatments.

Treatment frequently begins with surgery to remove the cancer and can also include radiation, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy.

There are different types of surgery, including a lumpectomy — in which the cancer and some surrounding healthy tissue is removed — and a mastectomy — in which all breast tissue is taken out. Certain lymph nodes may be included in the procedure as well.

Appearance concerns and Hidden Scar surgery

Many women experience feelings of uncertainty, fear, anxiety, and depression after diagnosis. They may also worry about how treatment will affect their appearance. Hidden Scar surgery is an advanced technique designed to help ease this concern.

Your breast surgeon removes cancerous tumors through an incision in an inconspicuous location in order to minimize visible scarring. In addition, the procedure spares the nipple, areola, and surrounding tissue. Women who’ve undergone this surgery do not experience any higher risk of recurrence than those undergoing other procedures.

Are you a candidate?

Hidden Scar surgery can be performed on women having a lumpectomy by making the incision in the armpit, areola or inflammatory fold under the breast. For those undergoing a nipple sparing mastectomy, the incision is made in the inflammatory fold under the breast. 

Hidden Scar surgery is not appropriate for women having other types of mastectomies.

In addition to the type of surgery being performed, various individual considerations are taken into account when determining if you’re a good candidate for Hidden Scar surgery: the tumor's size and location, the size and shape of the breast, and whether the cancer has spread to other areas of the breast or body. 

If you’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer, we can help explore your best treatment and surgical options, including whether Hidden Scar surgery might be right for you. Click here to book an appointment online with our caring team, or call the office today at 843-797-1941.