Mastectomy
About this test
A mastectomy is surgery to remove all breast tissue from a breast. It's most often done to treat or prevent breast cancer. In addition to removing the breast tissue, mastectomy also may remove the breast skin and nipple. Some newer mastectomy techniques can leave the skin or nipple. These procedures may help improve the appearance of the breast after surgery.
Why it's done
A mastectomy is used to remove all breast tissue from a breast. It's often done to treat breast cancer. It can also prevent breast cancer in those with a very high risk of developing it. Mastectomy to remove one breast is called a unilateral mastectomy. Removing both breasts is called a bilateral mastectomy.
Risks and complications
Risks of a mastectomy include: Bleeding. Infection. Delayed healing. Pain. Swelling in your arm if you have an axillary node dissection, called lymphedema. Formation of hard scar tissue at the surgical site. Shoulder pain and stiffness. Numbness in the chest. Numbness under your arm from lymph node removal. Buildup of blood in the surgical site, called hematoma. Changes in the way your chest or breasts look after surgery. Changes in the way you feel about your body after surgery.
What to expect
Mastectomy is a general term for the surgical removal of one or both breasts. Different types of mastectomies use different techniques. Many factors go into choosing what type of mastectomy is best for you. Types of mastectomies include: Total mastectomy. A total mastectomy, also known as a simple mastectomy, involves removing the entire breast, including the breast tissue, areola and nipple. Skin-sparing mastectomy. A skin-sparing mastectomy involves removing the breast tissue, nipple and areola, but not the breast skin. Breast reconstruction can be performed immediately after the mastectomy. Nipple-sparing mastectomy. A nipple- or areola-sparing mastectomy involves removing the breast tissue only, sparing the skin, nipple and areola. Breast reconstruction is performed immediately afterward. If you're having a mastectomy to treat cancer, the surgeon also may remove nearby lymph nodes. When breast cancer spreads, it often goes to the lymph nodes first. Operations to remove lymph nodes include: Sentinel node biopsy. In a sentinel lymph node biopsy, the surgeon removes the first few nodes into which a cancer drains, called the sentinel nodes. These nodes are found using a radioactive tracer and dye injected on the day before surgery or on the day of surgery. Axillary node dissection. During an axillary node dissection, the surgeon removes all the lymph nodes from the armpit. Lymph nodes removed during a mastectomy are tested for cancer. If no cancer is present, no more lymph nodes need be removed. If cancer is present, you may need additional treatment after surgery.
Understanding your results
After surgery the breast tissue and lymph nodes are sent to a lab for testing. Results from the lab will show whether all the cancer was removed and whether cancer was found in the lymph nodes. The results are typically available within a week or two after surgery. Your healthcare team will explain what the results mean and what the next steps will be in your treatment. If you need more treatment, you may be referred to: A radiation oncologist to discuss radiation treatments. Radiation may be recommended for large cancers or for lymph nodes that test positive for cancer. Radiation also may be recommended for cancer that spreads into the skin, nipple or muscle, or for cancer that remains after the mastectomy. A medical oncologist to discuss other forms of treatment after the operation. These may include 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.
Disclaimer: August is a health information platform and its responses don't constitute medical advise. Always consult with a licenced medical professional near you before making any changes.