What does mastectomy treat?

Mastectomy removes breast tissue from one or both sides. The amount removed depends on the tumour, its position, the breast size, previous treatment and your preferences. It may be used for invasive breast cancer, ductal carcinoma in situ, inflammatory breast cancer, breast cancer in men or Paget disease of the breast. In some situations, risk-reducing surgery is considered after a detailed assessment.

The operation may include sampling or removal of nearby lymph nodes. Reconstruction can be performed at the same time or later, while some people choose a flat closure or an external prosthesis. Chemotherapy before surgery may be advised to shrink a tumour or treat cancer cells elsewhere before the operation.

Discuss the type of mastectomy, lymph-node surgery, reconstruction options and expected changes in sensation. Ask how drains are managed and when arm movement can begin. After surgery, follow wound and drain instructions, take pain relief as prescribed and build activity gradually. Keep follow-up visits so pathology results can guide additional treatment.

Call your surgical team for increasing redness, warmth, drainage, swelling, fever, wound opening or pain that is becoming harder to control. Seek urgent help for severe breathlessness, chest pain, fainting or sudden swelling of an arm. Persistent arm heaviness or swelling can be assessed for lymphoedema.

Why is mastectomy recommended for me? Which lymph nodes will be assessed? Could reconstruction be suitable? What will the pathology report determine about further treatment?