Results

The results of your pathology report should be available within a week or two after your mastectomy. At your follow-up visit, your doctor can explain the report.

If you need more treatment, your doctor may refer you to:

• A radiation oncologist to discuss radiation treatments, which may be recommended if you had a large tumor, many lymph nodes that tested positive for cancer, cancer that had spread into the skin or nipple, or cancer remaining after the mastectomy
• A medical oncologist to discuss other forms of treatment after the operation, such as hormone therapy if your cancer is sensitive to hormones or chemotherapy or both
• A plastic surgeon, if you're considering breast reconstruction
• A counselor or support group to help you cope with having breast cancer