mastectomy A general term for removal of the breast, usually to remove cancerous tissue. The operation can be done in a hospital or in an outpatient clinic, depending on how extensive it needs to be. After a mastectomy, reconstructive surgery may be performed to restore a more normal appearance. In cases of nonmetastatic breast cancer,…
mastectomy, double Removal of both breasts.
mastectomy, Halsted A radical mastectomy. See mastectomy, radical.
mastectomy, modified radical Removal of the breast tissue and the axillary lymph nodes, which are under the arms.
mastectomy, partial Surgical removal of only enough breast tissue to be sure that the margins of the tissue removed are free of cancer. Also known as segmental mastectomy.
mastectomy, preventive Removal of one or both breasts without the current presence of cancer. This surgery is sometimes chosen as a preventive measure by women who have a strong family history of breast cancer.
mastectomy, prophylactic See mastectomy, preventive.
mastectomy, radical Removal of all breast tissue, from just under the collarbone to the abdomen, including the chest wall muscles and the axillary lymph nodes in the armpit. In a trial begun in 1971, the efficacy of radical mastectomy was compared with that of total mastectomy. This historic trial spelled the end of radical mastectomy…
mastectomy, segmental A partial mastectomy. See mastectomy, partial.
mastectomy, simple Removal of one or both breasts, but not the lymph nodes. Also known as a total mastectomy.
mastectomy, subcutaneous Removal of breast tissue, using a minimal incision. This type of mastectomy may be used to remove small areas of suspicious or cancerous tissue, but it can also be a cosmetic surgery procedure. For example, subcutaneous mastectomy can reduce the volume of enlarged male breasts or be part of a female-tomale sex-change procedure.
mastectomy, total A simple mastectomy. See mastectomy, simple.