Many women have breast reconstruction surgery after a mastectomy.
A mastectomy is the surgical removal of part or all of a breast. Mastectomies are most commonly used to treat breast cancer, but women who are at high risk of developing breast cancer sometimes elect to undergo the surgery. There are several types of mastectomies.
Total Mastectomy
A simple or total mastectomy is when the entire breast, including the nipple and areola, is removed. This process usually takes about two hours to complete, according to the Mayo Clinic, and the patient stays in the hospital for a day or two after the procedure. Breast cancer patients who have total mastectomies usually do not require radiation therapy.
Lumpectomy or Partial Mastectomy
A lumpectomy removes the cancerous tumor while leaving the breast mostly intact. The size of the lump determines how much breast tissue is removed. The procedure takes anywhere from under an hour to as long as three hours, and most women go home the same day. The patient usually receives radiation therapy afterwards.
Modified Radical Mastectomy
A modified radical mastectomy removes the breast, nipple, areola and surrounding lymph nodes. This surgery is necessary if the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes. It usually takes between two and four hours and the patient remains hospitalized overnight for observation.
Tags: lymph nodes, nipple areola, radiation therapy, usually takes
