Mastectomy in Knoxville

A Mastectomy is a surgical procedure performed to remove the breast. All of the breast tissue is removed and can include adjacent tissue. One or both breasts may be removed. Removing one breast is called a single or unilateral mastectomy. Removing both breasts is a double or bilateral mastectomy. Your Premier Surgical Breast Surgeon will discuss which option is appropriate for you. There are four types of mastectomies which include:

Simple (Total) Mastectomy

This is the most common type of breast cancer surgery, and simple means the entire breast is removed. This is especially common for women with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and for women looking to prevent any possibility of breast cancer occurring. 

Key points of a simple mastectomy:

  • Mastectomy is a common resolution for breast cancer.
  • Removal of the entire breast.
  • Does not affect muscle tissue beneath the breast.
  • Lymph nodes under the arm may be removed depending on the severity of the tumor.
  • The nipple and the skin around it may be removed, but nipple-sparing techniques are available. Your surgeon will evaluate whether you are a candidate for nipple sparing surgery.

Modified radical mastectomy

This procedure is typically done for patients with invasive breast cancer that has spread. The surgeon will remove the lymph nodes under your arm as well for examination, which isn’t always done during the simple mastectomy. Examining lymph nodes helps determine if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body beyond the breast.

Key points of a modified radical mastectomy:

  • The surgeon removes the entire breast
  • Axillary lymph node (nodes beneath the arm) dissection is performed
  • The nipple and skin around it are normally removed.
  • No muscles are removed from beneath the breast

Radical mastectomy

The radical mastectomy is the most extensive mastectomy procedure. This is when done if the cancer has spread to the chest muscles under the breast. This procedure is not performed as often as the modified radical mastectomy.

Key points of a radical mastectomy:

  • This surgical procedure involves the removal of the entire breast, the lymph nodes under the arm and the chest wall muscles under the breast.
  • Modified radical mastectomy is a more common procedure now.
  • However for large tumors growing into the muscles under the breast, it may still be done.

Schedule a Breast Cancer Consultation

For more information on mastectomies or other forms of breast surgery, schedule an appointment with one of our experienced Premier Surgical Breast Team Surgeons at: https://www.premiersurgical.com/breast-services-appointment-request/