Mastectomy (Breast Removal Surgery)

The most common and fatal cancer among women worldwide is breast cancer. There are different treatment methods for this disease but because every woman and her case is different, only a skilled doctor can choose the best one for you. In general, regardless of whether the cancer is in its early or late stage, mastectomy and lumpectomy are the best options.

Mastectomy: Mastectomy is a surgical procedure during which the whole breast, including the nipple and lymph nodes, is removed. Breast reconstruction surgery is available for women who would like to restore their breast’s appearance.

Lumpectomy: This procedure is also known as “breast-conserving surgery”. It is the removal of only the affected portion of the breast. A lumpectomy conserves your breast therefore radiotherapy may be required to remove the remaining cancer cells after this procedure.

In addition, most patients who undergo one of these surgeries need to have the lymph nodes that are near the tumor removed. Lymph nodes are small organs that trap the cancer cells.

Mastectomy treatment duration

The procedure takes around 2-3 hours. However, it will take longer if you choose to have a reconstruction surgery at the same time.

Paraclinical testing

After getting your medical history and a physical exam, your doctor will choose the best treatment option for you. A special needle is used to take a sample from your breast, this sample will be sent to the lab for analysis. After diagnosing the type of cancer, your doctor will start making plans for your treatment. Mammography, ultrasound, and MRI are used to locate the tumor. You will also have to give a blood test.

Preoperative care, the procedure, and postoperative care

Before the procedure

Ask your doctor any questions that you have regarding the procedure, its results and its side effects. Inform the medical team of any allergies you might have, especially if you are allergic to anesthetics. Provide a full list of all the medications, supplements and herbal medicines that you are taking. Consult your doctor about taking aspirin and other blood thinners. Start fasting 12 hours before the surgery. Occasionally, patients feel depressed and irritable after the surgery, having emotional support from loved ones won’t hurt.

Don’t smoke for several weeks before and after the surgery, smoking delays the healing of the surgical wound.

The mastectomy procedure

First, you will be put under general anesthesia. The surgeon will choose how to perform the surgery based on your conditions. He/she might decide to keep the nipple and some of the skin. After making an incision, the affected tissue and lymph nodes are removed. Finally, the surgeon will close the surgical wound using stitches. However, there would be more steps if you intend on getting a reconstruction surgery at the same time.

After the procedure

Sterile dressing is applied to the surgical wound to avoid infection and swelling. Nurses will periodically change the dressing. A few small, thin tubes called “surgical drains” will be used to remove blood and secretions from the surgical wound. These tubes will remain attached to you for around 2 weeks. The secretions of these tubes empty into a container which is emptied twice a day.

Your doctor will teach you a few simple exercises that help reduce swelling in the hands after a mastectomy. You must do these exercises regularly everyday. Rest at home for 7 days after the surgery. The recovery period ends within 4-6 weeks and then you can return to your normal life. Avoid lifting heavy objects and strenuous exercise during this time.

Important notes regarding mastectomy

In the case that you choose not to undergo a reconstruction surgery, there will be a scar on your breast. However, if you choose to undergo reconstruction surgery, you will have two choices, a breast implant using silicone inserts or a flap surgery that uses tissue from another place in your body.

In some cases it is wise to get a preventive mastectomy. A preventive mastectomy is the removal of breasts in women who are at a high risk for breast cancer. The risk of getting breast cancer is calculated using family history and paraclinical testing. The chance of getting breast cancer is reduced by 90% after undergoing a preventive mastectomy procedure.

Duration of hospitalization

You will be in the hospital for 2-3 days after the surgery.