Mastectomy surgery is a procedure to remove breast tissue. This procedure is usually considered to help women who have received a breast cancer diagnosis, or those who are a high risk of developing this serious ailment. If you or a loved one has been affected, it is important to understand what options are available with regards to breast cancer removal surgery. This post explores the different types of mastectomy that Dr. Rahul Vemula and his team offers.
1. Risk-Reducing Mastectomy
Women who have a very high genetic risk of developing breast cancer, often due to inherited gene mutations like BRCA1 and BRCA2 will get a mastectomy just to keep them safe. This procedure involves removes healthy breast tissue to reduce the risk of developing cancer. However, it is important to note that it doesn’t completely eliminate the risk of getting the disease.
Risk-reducing (prophylactic) contralateral mastectomy entails the removal of the opposite breast in a patient who has breast cancer in only one breast. The goal of this risk-reducing procedure is to prevent breast cancer from affecting the healthy breast in the future. The procedure to remove the contralateral breast is performed at the same time as the breast cancer surgery. While this procedure may lower the risk of cancer spreading to the healthy breast, it doesn’t lower the risk of dying from the original cancer, or the risk of the cancer spreading to the nearby lymph nodes and other parts of the body.
2. Simple (or Total) Mastectomy
A simple mastectomy – also referred to as a total mastectomy – is a surgical treatment for breast cancer that removes the entire breast (including the nipple, areola, and most of the overlying skin). The underlying chest muscles are usually preserved in this type of mastectomy. Lymph nodes under the arm are also preserved. This treatment is commonly used to treat breast cancer or to reduce the risk of breast cancer in individuals with a high genetic predisposition.
3. Radical Mastectomy
Radical mastectomy focuses on removing the whole along with the nipple, areola, and overlying skin. It also additionally removes all of the lymph nodes under the arm (axillary lymph nodes) and the chest wall muscles underneath the breast. This type of surgery was once the most common treatment for breast cancer, but it is now rarely used due to advancements in less invasive surgical techniques and other treatment options. Radical mastectomy is typically reserved for cases where the cancer has spread to the chest wall muscles.
4. Modified Radical Mastectomy
A Modified Radical Mastectomy (MRM) is a surgical treatment for breast cancer that involves the removal of the entire breast including the nipple, areola, and most of the axillary lymph nodes under the arm. Unlike the radical mastectomy, this procedure preserves the chest wall muscles. Modified Radical Mastectomy is typically recommended for invasive breast cancer that has spread beyond the breast tissue or has a high likelihood of spreading to the lymph nodes. Dr. Vemula and other breast surgeons are increasingly replacing this option with less invasive techniques such as lumpectomy and mastectomy with breast reconstruction.
5. Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy
A nipple-sparing mastectomy is removes all breast tissue while preserving the nipple and areola (the dark area around the nipple). This technique offers a more natural cosmetic outcome compared to traditional mastectomies, where the entire breast including the nipple and areola is removed. The procedure is typically recommended for patients with early-stage breast cancer that is located away from the nipple and areola, as well as for those undergoing risk-reducing mastectomies. During surgery, Dr. Rahul Vemula will remove breast tissue through an incision around the breast. The remaining skin envelope is then shaped to create a natural-looking breast mound. Immediate breast reconstruction is often performed at the same time to further enhance the cosmetic result.
6. Skin-Sparing Mastectomy
A skin-sparing mastectomy aims to treat breast cancer while preserving as much of the breast skin as possible. Unlike traditional mastectomy techniques that remove all breast tissue and skin, this method involves removal of only the cancerous tissue and a small amount of surrounding healthy tissue. This allows for immediate breast reconstruction using either implants or the patient’s own tissue to result in a more natural-looking outcome. It’s important to keep in mind that not all patients are suitable candidates for skin-sparing mastectomy as it requires specific conditions like tumor size and location.
Conclusion
Selecting the best type of mastectomy depends on a number of factors including the stage and type of breast cancer, the patient’s overall health, and personal preferences. Working with your oncologist, Dr. Rahul Vemula and his team at V Plastic Surgery are uniquely positioned to help you chart the right path for your breast cancer treatment.