Types of Mastectomy

Surgical Treatment of Breast Cancer

The surgical treatment for breast cancer and types of mastectomy are best discussed in detail with your general surgeon. Options include a simple lumpectomy, where the tumor is removed along with the surrounding rim of normal breast tissue. Surgery is followed by breast radiation therapy. Depending on the size of the excision, this procedure can heal with an acceptable scar and shape. In approximately 30% of lumpectomy patients, a reconstructive procedure may be needed to help create better symmetry and improve the scar's appearance.

A second option is a mastectomy. Presently, most mastectomies are performed in a skin-sparing fashion. This means that the breast tissue is removed along with the overlying nipple and areola while sparing the breast skin. It is necessary to remove the nipple because it contains ductal tissue that needs to be excised for oncological reasons, whereas in some cases we are able to preserve the areola. Mastectomy breast reconstruction may be performed at the same time as the mastectomy or at a later date.

Some women may however be eligible for what is known as a nipple-sparing mastectomy, wherein the nipple-areola complex is preserved. Suitability for this procedure depends on a number of factors, including the type, location and amount of cancer in the breast, as well as the size of the breast and further treatment plans. Women with large tumors or tumors located near the nipple are not good candidates for this surgery. During a nipple-sparing mastectomy, the exterior breast skin as well as the nipple areola complex are left intact. With a nipple-sparing mastectomy, immediate breast reconstruction will need to be performed after the removal of the breast tissue.

There are several types of mastectomies. Unilateral mastectomy is the surgical removal of one breast, bilateral mastectomy is the removal of both breasts and prophylactic mastectomy is the removal of healthy breasts to reduce a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer. Bilateral prophylactic mastectomy is the most effective means of reducing a woman’s risk of breast cancer, however the benefits of such surgery depend on each the individual risks for each woman. The most common and fastest-growing type of mastectomy is a bilateral mastectomy, because many women fear that if they don't remove both breasts, the cancer will spread from one breast to another. If you have undergone a bilateral mastectomy in Houston, we can help you with your reconstruction.

For patients who do not desire reconstructive breast surgery at the time of the mastectomy, or who may be in need of radiation for their tumor, a complete mastectomy with removal of the breast skin may be recommended. In these cases, the breast reconstruction procedure is performed at a later date, and the entire breast skin is replaced as well as the breast volume.

For more information on breast cancer surgeries visit our Lumpectomy vs Mastectomy page for further details.