Mastectomy is a term used for the surgery in which one or both the breasts are removed. It might include the removal of other tissues other than breasts like nearby muscles and lymph nodes. There are multiple types of Mastectomy procedures available depending on how extensive the surgery is and how many tissues are removed.
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Why is a Mastectomy done? What are the surgical treatment options for primary breast cancer? What stage of breast cancer requires a mastectomy?
It is done as a primary treatment for most breast cancer.
There are two surgical treatment options for primary breast cancer: Lumpectomy and Mastectomy.
Lumpectomy
It is also popularly known as Breast Conservation Surgery as the whole breast is not removed. Only the lesion area with a 1 cm margin of normal tissue is removed. It has the benefit of a better cosmetic appearance.
·Mastectomy
Your doctor might recommend Mastectomy if you:
Are unable to have radiation therapy like during pregnancy where radiation possess a risk to the growing baby
Had a previous history of radiotherapy exposure to breast
Have connective tissue disorders like systemic lupus erythematosus
Already underwent Breast Conservative surgery with re-excision which did not completely remove the cancer
Have a very large tumor and may not have enough tissue left after Lumpectomy for the better cosmetic appearance
Have multicentric breast cancer: Two or more areas of cancer in different quadrants of the same breast
Have Multifocal breast cancer: Presence of multiple well-marked invasive tumor foci separated from each other by uninvolved healthy breast tissue, regardless of the distance between the foci
Can mastectomy prevent breast cancer?
Through genetic testing, you can find out if you have any mutation in BRCA1, BRCA2, or p53 genes and have a higher risk of having breast cancer or if breast cancer runs in your family then your doctor might advise you for a Prophylactic Mastectomy. In cases like this, Mastectomy decreases the risk of developing breast cancer by 85% to 100%.
What are the various types of Mastectomy?
Radical Mastectomy
This type of surgery is rarely done today as this is very extensive. In this, the whole breast with Nipple-areola complex, overlying skin, underlying lymph nodes, and chest wall muscles (pectoral muscles- pectoralis major and minor) are removed. Nowadays this type of surgery is only performed when the tumor has already spread to the chest wall muscles and can not be shrieked using chemotherapy.
Modified Radical Mastectomy
Simple Mastectomy
Double Mastectomy
Skin Sparing Mastectomy
Nipple Sparing Mastectomy
Removal of Lymph Nodes
(Lymph nodes are bean-shaped structures that filter substances that travel through lymphatic vessels).
Breast cancer commonly spreads to the lymph nodes of the arms and neck in the side of the breast cancer and usually presents as enlarged lymph nodes. So, it is important to check and remove the lymph nodes (axillary lymph node clearance) to prevent recurrence and further complications
This includes :
Sentinel lymph node biopsy
Sentinel lymph nodes are the first draining lymph nodes of breast cancer. If no lymph nodes are enlarged then Sentinel lymph nodes biopsy is done. If it comes negative then there is no need for axillary lymph node clearance.
Axillary lymph node dissection
Breast Reconstruction Surgery: Post-Mastectomy
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Most women are worried about the appearance of breasts after Mastectomy and prefer to restore the breast's appearance. This can be done using breast reconstructive surgery in which the breast is rebuilt with implants or tissues from other parts of the body.
Women who don't want to undergo reconstructive surgery can opt for breast prosthesis and specially designed clothes for Mastectomy like a Mastectomy bra.
How Long Does It Take To Recover After Mastectomy?
In general, women have to stay for 2 nights post-surgery and then can go home and resume their normal activities in a month. But this depends on the health condition. They may have to do frequent hospital visits for follow-up of undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
Disclaimer: Your surgeon will recommend the type that is best for your specific diagnosis.
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