What happens during the procedure?
Several types of mastectomy are available to those who have breast cancer. The type of mastectomy a person decides to have performed depends on the location, size, and type of cancer. The different types of mastectomies are:
- Simple or total mastectomy: breast tissue, nipple, and areola (dark-colored skin around the nipple) are removed, but not the underlying chest muscle or lymph nodes under the arm.
- Modified radical mastectomy: breast tissue, nipple, areola, and the lymph nodes under the arm are removed, but not the underlying chest muscle.
- Radical mastectomy: breast tissue, nipple, areola, lymph nodes under the arm, some nerves and underlying chest muscle are removed. This procedure is almost never performed in modern surgical practice.
An anesthesiologist first puts you to sleep using general anesthetic that is given intravenously or inhaled. The surgeon then makes an incision in the breast and removes the necessary tissue depending on the type of mastectomy. After all the necessary tissue is removed, the incision is closed.
Small plastic tubes are left in place to allow fluid to drain. Your doctor will determine when these tubes are removed, usually one to two weeks later.
Following the procedure, you are sent to a recovery area to be monitored for any complications. Sometimes, breast reconstruction is performed at the same time as the mastectomy.
Normally the procedure takes one to three hours. It will require more time if breast reconstruction is part of the procedure.
How should I prepare for this procedure?
Your complete medical history is documented and an examination of the breast takes place before the procedure. Your surgeon will review your test results and may request other tests before the procedure.
Tell your doctor about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications that you are taking. Also tell them about any medication allergies and medical conditions that you may have.
Your doctor may ask you to stop taking certain medications such as blood-thinning medications or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or reduce your use of alcohol or cigarettes.
Ask your doctor whether you need to stop taking any of your medications before the procedure.
Do not eat for 8 hours before the procedure. If your doctor has recommended different times, follow the timing recommended by your doctor.
Arrange for someone to drive you home from the hospital.
What can I expect after the procedure?
Both mental and physical factors may affect your emotions after a mastectomy. Nurses and other health care professionals are available to talk to you about what to expect and how to deal with your feelings.
It may take you three to six weeks to fully recover. Ask your doctor when you can expect to return to your usual daily activities.
Following the surgery, dressings and bandages will be applied to the incisions. Stitches and clips used on incisions are usually removed after 7 to 10 days.
The small drainage tubes are usually removed after one to two weeks.
After this procedure, you will likely feel these normal side effects:
- swelling of the arm or hand. This is caused by a buildup of fluid that flows through the lymph system if the lymph nodes were removed.
- pain or numbness. Pain medications are usually recommended to help control any discomfort. Numbness generally fades with time, but some people experience permanent numbness under the arm if some small nerves were cut.
In addition to this procedure, some women may require other forms of treatment such as radiation, chemotherapy, and hormonal therapy. These additional forms of therapy may be necessary to reduce the risk of cancer recurrence and to improve overall long-term survival.
Upon discharge from the hospital, you should have someone drive you home.
Results
Depending on the stage of breast cancer, a successfully performed mastectomy is an effective treatment for breast cancer. The goal of this procedure is to completely remove and prevent recurrence of the breast cancer.