According to the online medical encyclopedia Medline Plus, sponsored by the National Library of Medicine, a mastectomy is a type of surgery where the entire breast is removed. A mastectomy is usually performed to treat breast cancer that has advanced to a stage where the doctor feels it is necessary to remove the entire breast to be sure all of the cancerous tissue has been removed. There are a few different types of mastectomies.
Simple Mastectomy
The American Cancer Society describes a simple mastectomy, also called a total mastectomy, as a surgical procedure in which the entire breast is removed, including the nipple. However, the underlying muscle and lymph nodes in the armpit are not removed.
Modified Radical Mastectomy
According to the National Cancer Institute, a modified radical mastectomy is when the surgeon removes the entire breast, the lymph nodes in the armpit, the tissue lining the chest muscle and perhaps a portion of the chest muscle itself.
Radical Mastectomy
Medline Plus reports that a radical mastectomy involves the surgeon removing the skin of the breast, the lymph nodes in the armpit and all of the chest muscles. This is the most severe type of mastectomy, and is only performed when the cancer has invaded the muscles underneath the breast.
Double Mastectomy
This type of mastectomy, according to the National Cancer Institute, involves the removal of both of the breasts during the same surgery. This is sometimes performed even if cancer has only been found in one breast, because of the high risk of cancer forming in the second breast. Double mastectomies are performed only rarely.
Skin-Sparing Mastectomy
The American Cancer Society reports that a skin-sparing mastectomy is done for women who are having breast reconstruction performed immediately. As the name suggests, the surgeon removes the entire breast; however, most of the skin over the breast, except for the nipple and areola, is left intact. This type of mastectomy is performed when the tumor is not too large, and when it is not too close to the skin.
