Mastectomy: Overview

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat It IsDifferent TypesContraindicationsPurposeHow to PrepareWhat to ExpectRecoveryLong-Term CareRisks and ComplicationsFrequently Asked QuestionsNext in Mastectomy GuideChoosing Between a Single vs. Double Mastectomy

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

What It Is

Different Types

Contraindications

Purpose

How to Prepare

What to Expect

Recovery

Long-Term Care

Risks and Complications

Frequently Asked Questions

Next in Mastectomy Guide

Amastectomyis the surgical removal of a breast, either to treat or toprevent breast cancer. There are different types of mastectomy procedures depending on an individuals’s diagnosis.This article explains what is involved in a mastectomy procedure. It also covers different types of mastectomy surgeries, potential risks, as well as recovery.What Is a Mastectomy?A mastectomy is performed in a hospital under generalanesthesia, or a medication that prevents pain. The procedure typically lasts two to three hours. It may take longer if a procedure to remove thelymph nodes, or glands that protect the body from infection, is planned.During a mastectomy, the following steps are generally taken:An incision 6 to 8 inches in length is made that begins on the inside of the breast, near the breastbone, and extends upward and outward toward the armpit.Once the breast tissue, and sometimes the lymph nodes underneath the arm, are removed, the incision is closed with either staples or absorbable ​sutures, or stitches.A drainmay also be placed, which helps remove excess fluid from the body to promote healing and decrease swelling. The drain will be under a bandage to protect the surgical site and help keep the drain in place.Both the staples and the drain will be removed during an office visit after you are discharged from the hospital.After a mastectomy, you can decide if you want to rebuild the breast that was removed. This is calledbreast reconstruction.It may be performed at the time of the mastectomy, which is called immediate reconstruction. It can also be done after the mastectomy incisions have healed and you have completed all of yourbreast cancer treatments.Reconstructive surgery may lengthen the amount of time of the procedure if it is being performed immediately after the mastectomy.What Are the Different Types of Mastectomies?Depending on various factors, most notably the stage of breast cancer, asurgeon, or doctor qualified to practice surgery, will perform one of these types of mastectomies:Simple (total) mastectomy:All of the breast tissue is removed from the affected breast.Modified radical mastectomy:All of the breast tissue is removed along with the lymph nodes from the armpit on the affected side of the body.Radical mastectomy:All of the breast tissue from the affected breast is removed along with the underarm lymph nodes and the chest muscle that lies underneath the breast.During a simple or modified radical mastectomy, if an individual is undergoing immediate breast reconstruction, the surgeon may consider performing techniques such as:Skin-sparing mastectomy: This technique preserves the skin of the breast, but not the nipple and areola, which are removed.Nipple-sparing mastectomy:With this technique, the incision to remove the breast tissue is madearoundthe areola, thus preserving both the nipple and areola.The skin or nipple-sparing mastectomies are reserved for individuals whose area of cancer is a minimum of two centimeters away from the tissue that is to be saved.Simple MastectomyA simple mastectomy is a procedure that removes all of the breast tissue of the affected breast. The most common form of the surgery, referred to as traditional total mastectomy, includes the removal of the areola and nipple. However, the surgery can be performed using skin and nipple sparing techniques. It also leaves the muscle under the breast intact.The procedure is performed using an elliptical incision 6 to 8 inches in length that begins on the inside of the breast, near the breastbone, and extends upward and outward towards the armpit. The incision can also be altered to remove scar tissue from previous procedures.Once the breast tissue is removed, the incision is closed with either absorbable ​sutures, or staples.What is a double mastectomy?During a double, orbilateral mastectomy, both breasts are removed. This surgery is usually performed as a simple mastectomy on both breasts.Modified Radical MastectomyA modified radical mastectomy is a procedure that combines the removal of all breast tissue from the affected breast with lymph node removal from the armpit on the affected side of the body. This surgery typically includes the removal of both the nipple and areola. However, the surgery can be performed using skin and nipple sparing techniques.Like a simple mastectomy, the procedure is performed using an elliptical incision 6 to 8 inches in length that begins on the inside of the breast, near the breastbone, and extends upward and outward toward the armpit.Once the breast tissue is removed, the incision is closed with either absorbable sutures or staples that are removed during an office visit 10 to 14 days after surgery.Radical Mastectomy (Halsted Mastectomy)A radical mastectomy, also known as aHalstedmastectomy, is not a commonly performed procedure.It is only performed on individuals who haveadvanced breast cancerthat has invaded the muscle wall under the breast tissue.A radical mastectomy removes all of the breast tissue of the affected breast. It also removes all of the lymph nodes under the arm on the affected side and the muscle that lies under the breast. Only the skin required to close the incision is left in place.This surgery leaves very little tissue other than skin over the rib bones. The scar left after this surgery is 6 to 8 inches long, with enough skin left to close the incision with sutures or staples.Skin Sparing MastectomyThis technique preserves the skin of the breast, but not the nipple and areola, which are removed. The breast tissue is then removed through that area. For individuals with large breasts, an additional incision may be made to allow the breast tissue to be removed, but the vast majority of skin is left behind after surgery.Nipple Sparing MastectomyThe incision to remove the breast tissue is madearoundthe areola, thus preserving both the nipple and areola. This procedure, like the skin-sparing procedure, may result in a larger incision than is necessary compared to the traditional procedure, especially if the breast is large.Nipple and skin sparing techniques can be used in combination with most mastectomy surgeries. In some cases, a total skin-sparing mastectomy can be performed that preserves the skin of the breast, as well as the nipple and areola.What Are the Contraindications?A mastectomy may be contraindicated in the following cases:If an individual has distant metastatic breast cancer, or breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the bodyIf the individual is older and has other significant medical conditionsIf an individual has a high risk of death from the surgery or from anesthesiaIf the surgery is technically difficult because of the size of the cancerWhat Is the Purpose of a Mastectomy?The main purpose of a mastectomy is totreat breast cancerssuch as:Ductal carcinoma in situ(DCIS), or non-invasive breast cancer in the milk ductInvasive breast cancers such as invasive ductal carcinomaDifficult to treat cancers, such astriple-negative breast cancer, or an aggressive type of breast cancerLess common breast cancers, likePaget disease of the breast, or a rare cancer that impacts the nipple or areolaMastectomy: OverviewOther Reasons for a MastectomyA mastectomy may also be done toprevent breast cancer. This is called aprophylacticmastectomy. It may be performed if:An individual has a genetic mutation, like theBRCA gene, that increases their risk for developing breast cancerAn individual has a strong family history of breast cancerAn individual underwent chestradiationbefore the age of 30An individual has or had cancer in one breastMastectomy or Breast-Conserving Surgery?Individuals with early-stage breast cancer often have the option of choosing between alumpectomy, a breast-conserving surgery (BCS) that removes a “lump” of breast tissue that contains the cancer, or a mastectomy. If an individual chooses breast-conserving surgery, they will most likely also need radiation.Research shows that a mastectomy does not improve a person’s chance of long-term survival when compared to BCS with radiation. As a result, most individuals choose BCS with radiation.However, according to the American Cancer Society, a mastectomy may be advised in these cases:An individual cannot undergo radiation, possibly because of an underlying medical condition that makes them sensitive to the side effects of this treatmentAn individual hasinflammatory breast cancer, a rare type of cancer that causes the breasts to appear swollenThe breast was treated with radiation in the pastAn individual already had BCS and not all of the cancer was removedThere are two areas of cancer within the same breast that are too far apartA breast cancer that is larger than 5 centimeters across, or is large relative to the patient’s breast sizeAn individual is pregnant and would require radiation during pregnancyAn individual has a genetic mutation that increases their risk for a second breast cancerWhat’s the Difference Between Top Surgery and Mastectomy?How Do I Prepare for a Mastectomy Procedure?After you have scheduled your mastectomy surgery, your healthcare provider will give you instructions for how to prepare for your upcoming procedure. While instructions may vary, on the day of your surgery you should:Wear comfortable clothesAvoid wearing jewelry, makeup, lotion, deodorant, or nail polishStop eating after midnight the night before your surgeryStop certain medications for a period of time before your surgeryBring personal items like your toothbrush, hairbrush, and phonePlan on having someone take you home once you are dischargedSpeak with your healthcare provider if you have any questions about how to prepare for your upcoming surgery. Make sure you fully understand the instructions, especially in regards to your medication regimen.Mastectomy: OverviewWhat Should I Expect on the Day of Surgery?On the day of your surgery, you will arrive at the hospital and be taken to a pre-operative room. You will then:Be given a hospital gown to put onHave an IV placed in your hand for delivering fluids and medicationsHave yourvital signschecked, like your heart rate, breathing, andblood pressureYou will meet with members of the surgical and anesthesia team who will discuss the surgery with you and answer any questions you may have. You will then be taken into the operating room. There you will be givenanesthesia medicationsto help with pain and put you to sleep.Mastectomy: OverviewWhat Is Recovery Like?The recovery from mastectomy surgery begins in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU), where you will be monitored while the anesthesia drugs wear off.After that, you will be taken to a hospital room where you will stay for one or two nights before being discharged home.Your healthcare team will provide you with specific instructions regarding:Caring for your surgical siteand drainRestricting or avoiding certain activities like driving or running, and for how longTaking medications like pain medications, orantibioticsto help prevent infectionAttending follow-up appointmentsYou may also be given instructions on performing arm exercises on your own or under the guidance of aphysical therapist, or movement expert.While the precise recovery time varies, most individuals can resume normal activities, including work, within about four weeks.If breast reconstruction is performed in addition to the mastectomy, recovery takes a bit longer.When to Seek Medical AttentionReach out to your healthcare provider if you have:Feveror chillsPain that isn’t helped with medicationSwelling near the incision siteDischarge or a bad odor from the incision site or drainConstipation, or difficulty going to the bathroomSigns of anallergic reactionto a medicationMastectomy: OverviewWhat Is the Long-Term Care Like Post-Surgery?Whether or not you undergo breast reconstruction, a mastectomy requires long-term care. Be sure to reach out to your healthcare provider throughout the recovery process if you have any questions or concerns.After surgery, you may need additional therapies such as:Chemotherapy, a treatment that uses medication to kill cancer cellsHormone therapy, or treatment that slows cancers that use hormones to growTargeted therapy, or treatment that directly attacks cancer cellsRadiation therapy, or treatment that uses radiation to shrink cancer cellsYou may be at risk fordepression, a group of conditions that can lead to low mood, sadness, and sleep disturbances, after being diagnosed with breast cancer. You may experience depression whether or not you have had a mastectomy procedure.Symptoms of depressioncan make the recovery process even more difficult, so be sure to reach out to your healthcare provider if you are experiencing this.Individuals who opt not to have reconstruction may want to use prosthetics that create a balance between a natural breast and a breast that has been removed. There are many mastectomy products available including bras, breast forms, and swimsuits.Maintaining a healthy weight, quitting smoking, exercising, and limiting alcohol intake can help lower your risk of developing recurrent breast cancer.What Are Potential Risks and Complications?As with any surgery, a mastectomy comes with potential risks and complications.Immediate or short-term complications that may occur after a mastectomy include:Hematoma: A hematoma is a collection of blood within the wound site. It may lead to pain, swelling, and bruising underneath the breast.Seroma: A seroma is a collection of serous fluid, or pale yellow fluid, that may collect in the breast after the mastectomy.A seroma may cause pain and swelling.Wound infection: This complication is rare and usually due tostaphylococcal bacteria, which is found normally on the skin. It may cause symptoms like fever, tenderness, warmth, redness, and/or swelling around the surgical site.Skin flap necrosis:Necrosis, or death of the tissue that makes up the skin flap, or the healthy tissue that covers the wound, occurs when the blood supply to the skin flap is insufficient.The necrosis may be partial or more severe.Potentially long-term complications of a mastectomy include:Persistent post-mastectomy pain (PPMP):This type of long term pain may be described as shooting, stabbing, pulling, tightness, burning, or aching. It may occur in the armpit, breast/chest wall, and upper arm after a mastectomy.Lymphedema:Swelling of the arm may occur if you had lymph nodes removed from your armpit and the fluid doesn’t drain properly through the lymph system. This can lead toarm numbness, swelling, stiffness, and pain.Phantom breast syndrome:With this condition, individuals feel pain, itchiness, or a general sensation in their breast after a mastectomy.Scar tissue formation:After the mastectomy procedure, scar tissue may form. This may feel painful.A Step-By-Step Guide to Arm Lymphedema ExercisesSummaryA mastectomy is the surgical removal of the breast to prevent or treat cancer. There are several different types of mastectomy procedures that may be performed.Once your mastectomy is scheduled, your healthcare provider will go over how to prepare for your upcoming surgery, as well as what to expect the day of the procedure.The amount of time it takes to recover from this procedure will vary from person to person. As with any surgical procedure, there are potential risks and complications.A Word From VerywellA mastectomy is a major surgery. Even though the recovery period is typically uncomplicated, it can be an exhausting process. Reach out to your healthcare team if you feel overwhelmed during this time. You may also consider joining a breast cancer support group to connect with others who have gone through a similar experience.Frequently Asked QuestionsA simple mastectomy and modified radical mastectomy are performed more often than a radical mastectomy.Individuals in stages I, II, or III are typically treated with surgery.Learn MoreBreast Cancer Staging: What You Need to KnowA mastectomy may cause pain and some soreness. The amount of discomfort will vary from person to person.

Amastectomyis the surgical removal of a breast, either to treat or toprevent breast cancer. There are different types of mastectomy procedures depending on an individuals’s diagnosis.

This article explains what is involved in a mastectomy procedure. It also covers different types of mastectomy surgeries, potential risks, as well as recovery.

What Is a Mastectomy?

A mastectomy is performed in a hospital under generalanesthesia, or a medication that prevents pain. The procedure typically lasts two to three hours. It may take longer if a procedure to remove thelymph nodes, or glands that protect the body from infection, is planned.

During a mastectomy, the following steps are generally taken:

Both the staples and the drain will be removed during an office visit after you are discharged from the hospital.

After a mastectomy, you can decide if you want to rebuild the breast that was removed. This is calledbreast reconstruction.It may be performed at the time of the mastectomy, which is called immediate reconstruction. It can also be done after the mastectomy incisions have healed and you have completed all of yourbreast cancer treatments.

Reconstructive surgery may lengthen the amount of time of the procedure if it is being performed immediately after the mastectomy.

What Are the Different Types of Mastectomies?

Depending on various factors, most notably the stage of breast cancer, asurgeon, or doctor qualified to practice surgery, will perform one of these types of mastectomies:

During a simple or modified radical mastectomy, if an individual is undergoing immediate breast reconstruction, the surgeon may consider performing techniques such as:

The skin or nipple-sparing mastectomies are reserved for individuals whose area of cancer is a minimum of two centimeters away from the tissue that is to be saved.

Simple Mastectomy

A simple mastectomy is a procedure that removes all of the breast tissue of the affected breast. The most common form of the surgery, referred to as traditional total mastectomy, includes the removal of the areola and nipple. However, the surgery can be performed using skin and nipple sparing techniques. It also leaves the muscle under the breast intact.

The procedure is performed using an elliptical incision 6 to 8 inches in length that begins on the inside of the breast, near the breastbone, and extends upward and outward towards the armpit. The incision can also be altered to remove scar tissue from previous procedures.

Once the breast tissue is removed, the incision is closed with either absorbable ​sutures, or staples.

What is a double mastectomy?During a double, orbilateral mastectomy, both breasts are removed. This surgery is usually performed as a simple mastectomy on both breasts.

What is a double mastectomy?

During a double, orbilateral mastectomy, both breasts are removed. This surgery is usually performed as a simple mastectomy on both breasts.

Modified Radical Mastectomy

A modified radical mastectomy is a procedure that combines the removal of all breast tissue from the affected breast with lymph node removal from the armpit on the affected side of the body. This surgery typically includes the removal of both the nipple and areola. However, the surgery can be performed using skin and nipple sparing techniques.

Like a simple mastectomy, the procedure is performed using an elliptical incision 6 to 8 inches in length that begins on the inside of the breast, near the breastbone, and extends upward and outward toward the armpit.

Once the breast tissue is removed, the incision is closed with either absorbable sutures or staples that are removed during an office visit 10 to 14 days after surgery.

Radical Mastectomy (Halsted Mastectomy)

A radical mastectomy, also known as aHalstedmastectomy, is not a commonly performed procedure.It is only performed on individuals who haveadvanced breast cancerthat has invaded the muscle wall under the breast tissue.

A radical mastectomy removes all of the breast tissue of the affected breast. It also removes all of the lymph nodes under the arm on the affected side and the muscle that lies under the breast. Only the skin required to close the incision is left in place.

This surgery leaves very little tissue other than skin over the rib bones. The scar left after this surgery is 6 to 8 inches long, with enough skin left to close the incision with sutures or staples.

Skin Sparing Mastectomy

This technique preserves the skin of the breast, but not the nipple and areola, which are removed. The breast tissue is then removed through that area. For individuals with large breasts, an additional incision may be made to allow the breast tissue to be removed, but the vast majority of skin is left behind after surgery.

Nipple Sparing Mastectomy

The incision to remove the breast tissue is madearoundthe areola, thus preserving both the nipple and areola. This procedure, like the skin-sparing procedure, may result in a larger incision than is necessary compared to the traditional procedure, especially if the breast is large.

Nipple and skin sparing techniques can be used in combination with most mastectomy surgeries. In some cases, a total skin-sparing mastectomy can be performed that preserves the skin of the breast, as well as the nipple and areola.

What Are the Contraindications?

A mastectomy may be contraindicated in the following cases:

What Is the Purpose of a Mastectomy?

The main purpose of a mastectomy is totreat breast cancerssuch as:

Mastectomy: Overview

Other Reasons for a Mastectomy

A mastectomy may also be done toprevent breast cancer. This is called aprophylacticmastectomy. It may be performed if:

Mastectomy or Breast-Conserving Surgery?

Individuals with early-stage breast cancer often have the option of choosing between alumpectomy, a breast-conserving surgery (BCS) that removes a “lump” of breast tissue that contains the cancer, or a mastectomy. If an individual chooses breast-conserving surgery, they will most likely also need radiation.

Research shows that a mastectomy does not improve a person’s chance of long-term survival when compared to BCS with radiation. As a result, most individuals choose BCS with radiation.

However, according to the American Cancer Society, a mastectomy may be advised in these cases:

What’s the Difference Between Top Surgery and Mastectomy?

How Do I Prepare for a Mastectomy Procedure?

After you have scheduled your mastectomy surgery, your healthcare provider will give you instructions for how to prepare for your upcoming procedure. While instructions may vary, on the day of your surgery you should:

Speak with your healthcare provider if you have any questions about how to prepare for your upcoming surgery. Make sure you fully understand the instructions, especially in regards to your medication regimen.

What Should I Expect on the Day of Surgery?

On the day of your surgery, you will arrive at the hospital and be taken to a pre-operative room. You will then:

You will meet with members of the surgical and anesthesia team who will discuss the surgery with you and answer any questions you may have. You will then be taken into the operating room. There you will be givenanesthesia medicationsto help with pain and put you to sleep.

What Is Recovery Like?

The recovery from mastectomy surgery begins in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU), where you will be monitored while the anesthesia drugs wear off.

After that, you will be taken to a hospital room where you will stay for one or two nights before being discharged home.

Your healthcare team will provide you with specific instructions regarding:

You may also be given instructions on performing arm exercises on your own or under the guidance of aphysical therapist, or movement expert.

While the precise recovery time varies, most individuals can resume normal activities, including work, within about four weeks.If breast reconstruction is performed in addition to the mastectomy, recovery takes a bit longer.

When to Seek Medical AttentionReach out to your healthcare provider if you have:Feveror chillsPain that isn’t helped with medicationSwelling near the incision siteDischarge or a bad odor from the incision site or drainConstipation, or difficulty going to the bathroomSigns of anallergic reactionto a medication

When to Seek Medical Attention

Reach out to your healthcare provider if you have:Feveror chillsPain that isn’t helped with medicationSwelling near the incision siteDischarge or a bad odor from the incision site or drainConstipation, or difficulty going to the bathroomSigns of anallergic reactionto a medication

Reach out to your healthcare provider if you have:

What Is the Long-Term Care Like Post-Surgery?

Whether or not you undergo breast reconstruction, a mastectomy requires long-term care. Be sure to reach out to your healthcare provider throughout the recovery process if you have any questions or concerns.

After surgery, you may need additional therapies such as:

You may be at risk fordepression, a group of conditions that can lead to low mood, sadness, and sleep disturbances, after being diagnosed with breast cancer. You may experience depression whether or not you have had a mastectomy procedure.Symptoms of depressioncan make the recovery process even more difficult, so be sure to reach out to your healthcare provider if you are experiencing this.

Individuals who opt not to have reconstruction may want to use prosthetics that create a balance between a natural breast and a breast that has been removed. There are many mastectomy products available including bras, breast forms, and swimsuits.

Maintaining a healthy weight, quitting smoking, exercising, and limiting alcohol intake can help lower your risk of developing recurrent breast cancer.

What Are Potential Risks and Complications?

As with any surgery, a mastectomy comes with potential risks and complications.

Immediate or short-term complications that may occur after a mastectomy include:

Potentially long-term complications of a mastectomy include:

A Step-By-Step Guide to Arm Lymphedema Exercises

Summary

A mastectomy is the surgical removal of the breast to prevent or treat cancer. There are several different types of mastectomy procedures that may be performed.

Once your mastectomy is scheduled, your healthcare provider will go over how to prepare for your upcoming surgery, as well as what to expect the day of the procedure.

The amount of time it takes to recover from this procedure will vary from person to person. As with any surgical procedure, there are potential risks and complications.

A Word From Verywell

A mastectomy is a major surgery. Even though the recovery period is typically uncomplicated, it can be an exhausting process. Reach out to your healthcare team if you feel overwhelmed during this time. You may also consider joining a breast cancer support group to connect with others who have gone through a similar experience.

Frequently Asked QuestionsA simple mastectomy and modified radical mastectomy are performed more often than a radical mastectomy.Individuals in stages I, II, or III are typically treated with surgery.Learn MoreBreast Cancer Staging: What You Need to KnowA mastectomy may cause pain and some soreness. The amount of discomfort will vary from person to person.

A simple mastectomy and modified radical mastectomy are performed more often than a radical mastectomy.

Individuals in stages I, II, or III are typically treated with surgery.Learn MoreBreast Cancer Staging: What You Need to Know

Individuals in stages I, II, or III are typically treated with surgery.

Learn MoreBreast Cancer Staging: What You Need to Know

A mastectomy may cause pain and some soreness. The amount of discomfort will vary from person to person.

11 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Cancer Institute.Breast Reconstruction After Mastectomy.Plesca M, Bordea C, El Houcheimi B, Ichim E, Blidaru A.Evolution of radical mastectomy for breast cancer.J Med Life.Galimberti V, Vicini E, Corso G, et al.Nipple-sparing and skin-sparing mastectomy: Review of aims, oncological safety and contraindications.Breast. 2017;34 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):S82–S84. doi:10.1016/j.breast.2017.06.034Goethals A, Rose J. Mastectomy. StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL):StatPearls Publishing.American Cancer Society.Mastectomy.Burgess C, Cornelius V, Love S, Graham J, Richards M, Ramirez A.Depression and anxiety in women with early breast cancer: five year observational cohort study.BMJ. 2005;330(7493):702. doi:10.1136/bmj.38343.670868.D3Sampathraju S, Rodrigues G.Seroma Formation after Mastectomy: Pathogenesis and Prevention.Indian J Surg Oncol. 2010 Dec; 1(4): 328–333. doi:10.1007/s13193-011-0067-5Robertson SA, Jeevaratnam JA, Agrawal A, Cutress RI.Mastectomy skin flap necrosis: challenges and solutions.Breast Cancer (Dove Med Press).2017; 9: 141–152. doi:10.2147/BCTT.S81712Tait RC et al.Persistent Post-Mastectomy Pain: Risk Factors and Current Approaches to Treatment.J Pain. 2018 Dec; 19(12): 1367–1383. doi:10.1016/j.jpain.2018.06.002American Cancer Society.Treatment of breast cancer stages I-III.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Mastectomy.Additional ReadingAmerican Cancer Society.Mastectomy.American Cancer Society.Breast Cancer Treatment By Stage.American Cancer Society.Breast Cancer in Men.Kwong A, Sabel MS. Mastectomy. Chagpar AB ed. UpToDate. Waltham, MA: UpToDate.

11 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Cancer Institute.Breast Reconstruction After Mastectomy.Plesca M, Bordea C, El Houcheimi B, Ichim E, Blidaru A.Evolution of radical mastectomy for breast cancer.J Med Life.Galimberti V, Vicini E, Corso G, et al.Nipple-sparing and skin-sparing mastectomy: Review of aims, oncological safety and contraindications.Breast. 2017;34 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):S82–S84. doi:10.1016/j.breast.2017.06.034Goethals A, Rose J. Mastectomy. StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL):StatPearls Publishing.American Cancer Society.Mastectomy.Burgess C, Cornelius V, Love S, Graham J, Richards M, Ramirez A.Depression and anxiety in women with early breast cancer: five year observational cohort study.BMJ. 2005;330(7493):702. doi:10.1136/bmj.38343.670868.D3Sampathraju S, Rodrigues G.Seroma Formation after Mastectomy: Pathogenesis and Prevention.Indian J Surg Oncol. 2010 Dec; 1(4): 328–333. doi:10.1007/s13193-011-0067-5Robertson SA, Jeevaratnam JA, Agrawal A, Cutress RI.Mastectomy skin flap necrosis: challenges and solutions.Breast Cancer (Dove Med Press).2017; 9: 141–152. doi:10.2147/BCTT.S81712Tait RC et al.Persistent Post-Mastectomy Pain: Risk Factors and Current Approaches to Treatment.J Pain. 2018 Dec; 19(12): 1367–1383. doi:10.1016/j.jpain.2018.06.002American Cancer Society.Treatment of breast cancer stages I-III.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Mastectomy.Additional ReadingAmerican Cancer Society.Mastectomy.American Cancer Society.Breast Cancer Treatment By Stage.American Cancer Society.Breast Cancer in Men.Kwong A, Sabel MS. Mastectomy. Chagpar AB ed. UpToDate. Waltham, MA: UpToDate.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

National Cancer Institute.Breast Reconstruction After Mastectomy.Plesca M, Bordea C, El Houcheimi B, Ichim E, Blidaru A.Evolution of radical mastectomy for breast cancer.J Med Life.Galimberti V, Vicini E, Corso G, et al.Nipple-sparing and skin-sparing mastectomy: Review of aims, oncological safety and contraindications.Breast. 2017;34 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):S82–S84. doi:10.1016/j.breast.2017.06.034Goethals A, Rose J. Mastectomy. StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL):StatPearls Publishing.American Cancer Society.Mastectomy.Burgess C, Cornelius V, Love S, Graham J, Richards M, Ramirez A.Depression and anxiety in women with early breast cancer: five year observational cohort study.BMJ. 2005;330(7493):702. doi:10.1136/bmj.38343.670868.D3Sampathraju S, Rodrigues G.Seroma Formation after Mastectomy: Pathogenesis and Prevention.Indian J Surg Oncol. 2010 Dec; 1(4): 328–333. doi:10.1007/s13193-011-0067-5Robertson SA, Jeevaratnam JA, Agrawal A, Cutress RI.Mastectomy skin flap necrosis: challenges and solutions.Breast Cancer (Dove Med Press).2017; 9: 141–152. doi:10.2147/BCTT.S81712Tait RC et al.Persistent Post-Mastectomy Pain: Risk Factors and Current Approaches to Treatment.J Pain. 2018 Dec; 19(12): 1367–1383. doi:10.1016/j.jpain.2018.06.002American Cancer Society.Treatment of breast cancer stages I-III.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Mastectomy.

National Cancer Institute.Breast Reconstruction After Mastectomy.

Plesca M, Bordea C, El Houcheimi B, Ichim E, Blidaru A.Evolution of radical mastectomy for breast cancer.J Med Life.

Galimberti V, Vicini E, Corso G, et al.Nipple-sparing and skin-sparing mastectomy: Review of aims, oncological safety and contraindications.Breast. 2017;34 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):S82–S84. doi:10.1016/j.breast.2017.06.034

Goethals A, Rose J. Mastectomy. StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL):StatPearls Publishing.

American Cancer Society.Mastectomy.

Burgess C, Cornelius V, Love S, Graham J, Richards M, Ramirez A.Depression and anxiety in women with early breast cancer: five year observational cohort study.BMJ. 2005;330(7493):702. doi:10.1136/bmj.38343.670868.D3

Sampathraju S, Rodrigues G.Seroma Formation after Mastectomy: Pathogenesis and Prevention.Indian J Surg Oncol. 2010 Dec; 1(4): 328–333. doi:10.1007/s13193-011-0067-5

Robertson SA, Jeevaratnam JA, Agrawal A, Cutress RI.Mastectomy skin flap necrosis: challenges and solutions.Breast Cancer (Dove Med Press).2017; 9: 141–152. doi:10.2147/BCTT.S81712

Tait RC et al.Persistent Post-Mastectomy Pain: Risk Factors and Current Approaches to Treatment.J Pain. 2018 Dec; 19(12): 1367–1383. doi:10.1016/j.jpain.2018.06.002

American Cancer Society.Treatment of breast cancer stages I-III.

Johns Hopkins Medicine.Mastectomy.

American Cancer Society.Mastectomy.American Cancer Society.Breast Cancer Treatment By Stage.American Cancer Society.Breast Cancer in Men.Kwong A, Sabel MS. Mastectomy. Chagpar AB ed. UpToDate. Waltham, MA: UpToDate.

American Cancer Society.Breast Cancer Treatment By Stage.

American Cancer Society.Breast Cancer in Men.

Kwong A, Sabel MS. Mastectomy. Chagpar AB ed. UpToDate. Waltham, MA: UpToDate.

Meet Our Medical Expert Board

Share Feedback

Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit

What is your feedback?