Mastectomy
Mastectomy is surgery to remove the breast. A mastectomy may be needed for a woman who has:
- Cancer in more than 1 part of the breast and it cannot all be removed with a single incision (cut)
- A history of radiation therapy to the affected breast or chest area
- A small breast with a large tumor in it
- Inflammatory breast cancer
- A connective tissue disease, which means radiation may cause major problems
- A current pregnancy, because the radiation needed after breast-conserving surgery could harm the unborn baby
- Some tumor left over from previous breast-conserving surgery
There are 4 main types of mastectomy. Each has its own benefits and risks.
A total (or simple) mastectomy removes the entire breast. This includes the nipple, areola, and most of the skin. The areas removed during the surgery are shaded in green. The surgeon may also remove some of the lymph nodes under the arm to see if the cancer has spread. (See section on sentinel lymph node biopsy below.)
A skin-sparing mastectomy removes the same amount of breast tissue and the nipple and areola, but it leaves most of the skin. This may be an option if the tumor is small or not close to the surface. Breast reconstruction is done as part of this surgery.
A modified radical mastectomy removes the entire breast. This includes the skin, nipple, and areola. Lymph nodes under the arm are also removed. (See section on axillary lymph node dissection below.) Sometimes the lining over the chest muscles is removed. The areas removed during the surgery are shaded in green.
A radical mastectomy is also called a Halsted radical mastectomy. It removes the entire breast, including the nipple, areola, and skin. All the lymph nodes under the arm (axillary lymph nodes), the lining over the chest muscles, and the chest muscles under the breast are also removed. The areas removed during the surgery are shaded in green.
A radical mastectomy is very rarely needed. Still, it might be done to treat a large tumor that's growing into the chest muscles.