What is mastectomy?

A mastectomy is a surgical procedure that involves removing breast tissue as part of a treatment plan for breast cancer or to prevent it.

For women with early-stage breast cancer, a mastectomy is often recommended. However, another option is a lumpectomy, which only removes the tumor while keeping the rest of the breast intact. In many cases, it can be complicated to choose one procedure over the other, so only the treating physician will have the necessary information to decide which one is best for the specific case.

After a mastectomy, breast reconstruction surgery can be performed, either at the same time as the mastectomy or during a subsequent surgical procedure.

Types of Mastectomy

There are several types of mastectomies:

• Unilateral: Removal of a single breast.
• Bilateral: Removal of both breasts.
• Total: The entire breast tissue is removed, including the areola and nipple.
• Skin-sparing: The breast tissue is removed, but the skin is preserved.
• Nipple-sparing: The breast tissue is removed, but the nipple, areola, and skin are kept.

Reasons for a Mastectomy

• For breast cancer treatment: A mastectomy is used to treat various types of breast cancer, often alongside chemotherapy and radiation therapy, depending on the case.
• For breast cancer prevention: It is recommended when there is a high risk of developing breast cancer, either due to a family history of the disease or the presence of genetic abnormalities that increase the probability of getting it.

A mastectomy is usually performed as an outpatient procedure, but if both breasts are removed, the surgery is longer, and it may be necessary to stay in the hospital for a few additional days. The procedure is performed under general anesthesia, and the breast tissue and lymph nodes are removed.

Potential Risks of a Mastectomy

• Hemorrhage
• Hematomas
• Infection
• Intense pain
• Lymphedema
• Scarring
• Stiff and sore shoulder
• Arm numbness

Breast Reconstruction Surgery

This procedure is performed by a plastic surgeon for the patient’s aesthetic and self-esteem reasons. It reconstructs the removed breast and can be done at the same time as the mastectomy or at a later date.

Breast reconstruction surgery may involve the following techniques:

• Using breast expanders with silicone or saline implants.
• Reconstruction with autologous tissue (the patient’s own tissue).
• Combined reconstruction with autologous tissue and implants.

At the Women’s Center, a woman’s overall health is our priority. We offer services for women at all stages of life with the highest standards of care to improve their quality of life through a wide range of prevention, diagnosis, timely treatment, and follow-up services.

Related Centers and Departments:

Women’s Center
Radiology and Molecular Imaging
Clinical Laboratory

Fuentes:

• breastcancer.org
• cun.es
• stanfordchildrens.org
• mayoclinic.org
• topdoctors.es
• medlineplus.gov
• msdmanuals.com
• medigraphic.com
• Telich-Tarriba JE, Seidman-Sorsby A, Cruz-Zermeño M. Mejoría en la proyección del pezón con la aplicación de ácido hialurónico en reconstrucción mamaria tras mastectomía preservadora de piel y pezón. Cir Plast. 2022;32(1):51-53. doi:10.35366/106106.
• Sánchez WL, Alfonso HL, Sánchez VIG, et al. Reconstrucción mamaria inmediata en el Instituto Nacional de Oncología y Radiobiología de Cuba. Revista Cubana de Cirugía. 2020;59(4):1-18.
• Pérez-Garmendia R, Garzon-Muvdi J, Castillo-Montero AG, et al. Implicaciones bioéticas en cáncer de mama. Mastectomía radical vs lumpectomía. Sal Jal. 2020;7(2):119-124.
• Pérez GR, Garzón MJ, Baley SI, et al. Mastectomía radical versus tumorectomía para el tratamiento de cáncer de mama: implicaciones bioéticas. Cir Plast. 2018;28(2):92-96. doi:10.35366/CP182J.