A mastectomy -- the surgical removal of the breast -- used to be the only treatment for breast cancer. Today a woman who has a mastectomy is likely to have either:

Total Mastectomy. This surgery removes as much breast tissue as possible, the nipple, and some of the overlying skin. The lymph nodes in the armpit are not removed.

Modified Radical Mastectomy. This surgery removes as much breast tissue as possible, the nipple, some of the overlying skin, and some lymph nodes in the armpit.

A mastectomy is needed when:
1. The cancer is found in numerous areas in the breast.
2. The breast is small or shaped so that removal of the entire cancer will leave little breast tissue or a deformed breast.
3. The woman does not want to have radiation therapy.

Possible problems: Infection, poor wound healing, drug reactions, and a collection of fluid under the skin are possible complications.

Often, surgeons can perform what is called the skin sparing mastectomy - removal of a small portion of the skin around the areola, plus the nipple and the areola themselves. Leaving most of the rest of the skin in place makes reconstruction easier.

Adapted from "A Woman's Guide To Breast Cancer Diagnosis And Treatment" published by the California Department of Health Services and "The Breast Buddy Volunteer Training Curriculum", published by WIN Against Breast Cancer.

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Last Updated: 02/12/2003

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