A mastectomy is a surgical procedure to remove cancerous tissue from the breast, often recommended for large or widespread tumors. The specific type of mastectomy and whether breast reconstruction is performed simultaneously depend on the cancer's stage, size, and the patient's individual risk factors.
- A mastectomy is a surgical procedure to remove cancerous tissue from the breast, often recommended for large or widespread tumors.
- The specific type of mastectomy and whether breast reconstruction is performed simultaneously depend on the cancer's stage, size, and the patient's individual risk factors.
- Types of mastectomy include skin-sparing, nipple-sparing, and total (simple) mastectomy, each preserving different amounts of tissue based on the tumor's location and stage.
- Prophylactic mastectomy may be performed on high-risk individuals, such as those with a strong family history of breast cancer, to prevent future disease.
- Breast reconstruction can be done during the mastectomy or delayed until after other treatments like chemotherapy and radiotherapy are completed.
What is a mastectomy?
Mastectomy is a general term for surgeries performed to remove cancerous tissue from the breast. Historically common, mastectomy is now preferred for patients with large, widespread tumors in the breast where breast-conserving surgery is not suitable.
The surgery for a patient diagnosed with breast cancer is performed by a general surgery team. The cancerous tissue is removed according to the size and type of cancer in the breast. Because breast cancer types vary, the method and process of breast cancer surgery can also vary.
“What is breast cancer? What are the symptoms and stages of cancerous breasts? How is breast cancer diagnosed and treated? For comprehensive information on surgical methods that can be applied in breast cancers, see Prof. Dr. Şükrü Yazar’s book.” Breast Cancer You can find more information by visiting the website where it is provided.”
If the cancer is small and of a non-toxic type, surgery may only require the removal of the cancerous area. The remaining breast tissue is then used to reconstruct the breast.
Who is a suitable candidate for a mastectomy?
Mastectomy is a surgical procedure performed on individuals who need part or all of their breast removed due to breast cancer. Mastectomy can be performed on patients of all ages after a diagnosis of breast cancer. It is a necessary surgery for individuals with a confirmed cancer diagnosis. It can also be performed in high-risk patients to preserve the breast. This preventative measure is called prophylactic mastectomy, where the breast is removed to prevent future cancer risk, and plastic surgeons then reconstruct and reshape the breast.
How is a mastectomy performed?
The content, procedures, and completion time of a mastectomy vary depending on the size, extent, and type of cancer. In cases of aggressive breast cancer, complete removal of the breast is necessary. Sometimes, a skin-sparing mastectomy, where the skin is preserved, can be performed during the surgery, while in other cases, a simple mastectomy, where the skin and nipple are preserved, can be performed.
The considerations and criteria that must be observed in every surgery must also be applied in mastectomy operations. You should entrust yourself to a breast cancer surgeon with a professional and experienced background, and undergo your surgery with confidence.
What are the surgical techniques used in breast cancer? (Types of Mastectomy)
- Breast-Conserving Surgery: In some cases, mastectomy may be performed to minimize the risks. Especially in patients with a family history of breast cancer – particularly in first-degree relatives – if the breast cancer is hereditary, mastectomy may be performed on the healthy breast to minimize risk and provide protection. This procedure is called breast-conserving surgery.
- Skin-Sparing Mastectomy: Sometimes, in female patients, reconstruction can be performed while continuing the surgical intervention on the breast. This procedure is called skin-sparing mastectomy. Most of the skin covering the breast (including the area around the nipple – areola – and the nipple itself) is left intact. Skin-sparing mastectomy can be at least as beneficial to the patient as simple mastectomy. The amount of breast tissue removed can be the same as in simple mastectomy.
- Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy: These types of breast surgeries can be performed as skin-sparing mastectomy for early-stage tumors, or as nipple-sparing mastectomy for tumors located far from the nipple.
- Total (Simple) Mastectomy: This is also called simple mastectomy (segmental mastectomy). In this type of mastectomy, the entire breast, including the nipples, is removed. However, the axillary lymph nodes or the muscle tissue under the breast are not removed. In some special cases, both breasts are removed for preservation purposes in female patients with a very high risk of breast cancer. Such cases are called double mastectomy. Many patients who are admitted to the hospital for this surgery can be discharged the next day. Total mastectomy is a frequently used method in the treatment of breast cancer.
Other Types of Mastectomy
- Extended Mastectomy
- Modified Radical Mastectomy
- Radical Mastectomy
- Lymph Node Surgeries
- Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy
- Axillary Lymph Node Dissection
In addition, during breast cancer treatment and procedures, if a plastic surgeon collaborates with the patient, aesthetic breast aesthetic surgeries—that is, Aesthetic, Plastic, and Reconstructive Surgery—can also be performed simultaneously.
During surgery where the nipple is preserved, single-dose radiotherapy—procedures using ionizing radiation—can also be administered to the nipple while the patient is under anesthesia and on the operating table.
Breast Reconstruction
In breast cancer treatment, breast reconstruction (creating a new breast) after mastectomy is performed either in the same procedure or later. In prophylactic mastectomy or mastectomy performed due to early diagnosis of breast cancer, breast reconstruction can be performed in the same session. In advanced-stage breast cancer with metastasis, breast reconstruction is performed 5-7 months after the completion of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Breast reconstruction procedures are performed using prostheses (implants/silicone) and the patient’s own tissue. For comprehensive details regarding the removal and reconstruction of the cancerous breast, you can visit the breast reconstruction webpage of Prof. Dr. Şükrü Yazar, “One of Turkey’s Best Plastic Surgeons and Reconstruction Specialists”.
