Department of Surgery

 

Highland Hospital Surgery

Highland Hospital Surgeons who perform Breast Surgery and Mastectomy Thad Boss, MD Tulsi Dass, MD Joseph A. Johnson, MD William O'Malley, MD   Plastic Surgeons who perform Breast Reconstruction Surgery Marie N. Frankel, MD H. Raul Herrera, MD

Most Common Procedures

Mastectomy

A mastectomy is the surgical removal of the breast, usually to treat a serious disease, such as breast cancer.

There are four general types of mastectomy:

• Subcutaneous Mastectomy
  Removal of the entire breast but leaving the nipple
  and areola (the pigmented skin around the nipple)

   

• Total (Simple) Mastectomy
  Removal of the whole breast but not the lymph nodes
  under the arm

   

• Modified Radical Mastectomy
  Removal the whole breast and most of the lymph nodes
  under the arm

   

• Radical Mastectomy
  Removal of the chest wall muscles (pectorals) in addition
  to the breast and maxillary lymph nodes. This operation is
  rarely used today, and is mostly of historical interest

Mastectomy Surgery

While the patient is anesthetized (unconscious and pain-free), an incision is made into the breast. The diseased breast tissue is detached from the skin and muscle and removed. To close the incision, special stitches that will dissolve on their own will often be used. If non-dissolving stitches are used, they will normally be removed after 7-10 days.

Recovering from a Mastectomy The hospital stay after a mastectomy can be from 1-3 days, depending on the type of surgery, and full recovery may take as long as 3-6 weeks. In the case of mastectomy in the treatment of breast cancer, an oncologist may also request other treatments including hormone therapy, radiation, and chemotherapy. A woman may find the emotional and social support of a group of other women and their families who have dealt with breast cancer and mastectomy helpful in her recovery process. A physician, surgeon or oncologist can help locate a support group or counselor. Breast Reconstruction It's possible to reconstruct the breast (to help restore a normal appearance) during the same operation, or at a later date. Reconstruction adds to the complexity of the surgery and decisions about whether to have breast reconstruction, or the best time to do so, should be made by a woman with her physician's advice. Learn more about breast reconstruction surgery

Diagnosing Breast Cancer Successful treatment of breast cancer and the best chances for a complete cure depend critically on the stage of the disease when diagnosed. When detected in its earliest stages, and treated appropriately, breast cancer patients average a ten-year survival rate of over 90%. Mammograms used in combination with breast exams by a physician are the most effective method of detecting breast cancer. The American Cancer Society recommends yearly mammography screening for women over the age of 40.