What is Mastectomy?

Mastectomy is the name given to the surgery to remove cancer tissue in the breast, it is the removal of that cancerous tissue according to the size and type of cancer in the breast.

Mastectomy can be applied according to the purpose and scope of use. These can be listed as follows;

Segmental Mastectomy: If the cancerous part is small and its type is not very harmful, it can be done by removing only the cancerous part and shaping the breast with the remaining breast tissue.

Skin Sparing Mastectomy: If the size of the cancer is large and the type is aggressive, then it can be done by completely emptying and removing the breast.The skin can be protected with this method.

Total Mastectomy: Simple mastectomy, also defined as total mastectomy; It is the method in which all breast tissue (including nipple and areola) is removed. In this method, armpit lymph nodes and muscle tissue in the breast area are not removed. Simple mastectomy, which is frequently used in the treatment of breast cancer, is called bilateral mastectomy if it is applied to both breasts. Bilateral mastectomy is performed quite frequently in women at high risk of breast cancer.

Modified radical mastectomy:It is surgery to remove the entire breast. This includes the breast tissue, nipple, areola, skin and the underarm lymph nodes.

Radical mastectomy:It is the most extensive mastectomy procedure. Radical mastectomy removes the entire breast, including breast tissue, nipple, areola, and skin. The surgeon will also remove your underarm lymph nodes and all of the chest wall muscles under the breast.

Who is this for?

Mastectomy can be performed on the patients diagnosed with breast cancer. (The patient can be at any age.) Mastectomy is an operation which is performed on people with a confirmed cancer diagnosis. It can also be performed for breast-protective purposes on high-risk cancer patients.

Mastectomy Surgery

Before mastectomy surgery, the patient undergoes a detailed examination and control process. In this process; especially mammography, breast USG, thick needle biopsy and when necessary, magnetic resonance imaging (MR), computerized tomography, PET-CT scan are performed. At the same time, the general health status of the patient and the drugs used for systemic diseases are evaluated. Before the mastectomy surgery, the drugs used by the patient should be taken under the control of the doctor. A certain period of fasting is required for the operation process to be performed under general anesthesia. The hospitalization period after the operation is one or two days.

How is Mastectomy surgery performed?

The Mastectomy surgery is performed in a hospital.During the surgery the incisions are made on the patient’s chest. The Doctor will then remove part or all of the breast and possibly the lymph nodes and chest wall muscles. The aim is to remove all breast tissue.

What should be considered after Mastectomy surgery?

Recovery after mastectomy surgery is usually quick. Except for special cases, there is no obvious restriction in arm movements. Drains are often placed under mastectomy flaps. In this process, wound care and dressing applications should be done by specialists. Approximately one week after the surgery, arm movements should be started after the drain is removed, and some exercises may be required during this process.