Total mastectomy

Total Mastectomy is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of the entire breast tissue, including the nipple and areola. It is often performed as a treatment for breast cancer and can be done on one or both breasts, depending on the extent of the disease.

Indications

Total mastectomy is indicated in several situations. These include:

• Invasive breast cancer that has spread to multiple areas of the breast
• Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) that involves a large area of the breast
• Recurrence of breast cancer after previous lumpectomy
• Prophylactic mastectomy in women with a high risk of developing breast cancer due to genetic mutations such as BRCA1 or BRCA2

Procedure

The procedure is performed under general anesthesia. The surgeon makes an incision across the breast and removes all the breast tissue, including the nipple and areola. The lymph nodes in the armpit may also be removed if they are involved with cancer. The incision is then closed with stitches.

Complications

Possible complications of total mastectomy include:

• Infection
• Bleeding
• Pain
• Swelling in the arm (lymphedema) if lymph nodes are removed
• Changes in the sensation of the chest wall
• Psychological effects such as body image issues

See Also

• Breast Cancer
• Lumpectomy
• Mastectomy
• Prophylactic mastectomy

References

Total mastectomy Resources
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