- Procedure Time
2-3 hours - Overnight stay
2 nights - Anaesthesia
General - Recovery Time
2-3 Months
Mastectomy Surgery
Mastectomy is the removal of the breast due to any ailment. As it is known, cancer diseases are among the disease groups that cause the most deaths worldwide, after cardiovascular diseases. The most common type of cancer, especially among women, is breast cancer. Breast cancer begins with a tumor formed by the uncontrolled proliferation and growth of breast tissue cells. Early diagnosis is essential in breast cancer because the earlier the diagnosis is, the higher the success rate in treatment. In breast cancer, most of the treatment process is surgical, the breast tissue is removed, and mastectomy is performed.
In the treatment of mastectomy, only the tumor or the entire breast tissue can be removed. For the prevention and early detection of breast cancer, all women, especially over the age of 40, should have their own breast examinations regularly. Regular examination is the most effective method of preventing breast cancer.
What is Mastectomy?
Mastectomy is a surgical operation in which breast tissue is removed and the tumor to treat breast cancer. Until a few years ago, breast tissue, tumor, lymph nodes in the armpit, and some muscles under the breast were completely removed to treat breast cancer. However, with the development of medicine today, newer mastectomy techniques have emerged. Thanks to these new techniques, it has been possible to protect the chest skin with suitable profiles, to obtain a more natural appearance.
Mastectomy surgery can be performed on one breast or both breasts at the same time. If the patient wishes, the breast can be reshaped during the operation, depending on his health status and preference. The procedure can be performed immediately after the mastectomy or scheduled for a different date.
What are the Mastectomy types?
Mastectomy operation differs according to the technique of the procedure and which tissues are removed in the process. Types of mastectomy are as follows:
Total (Simple) Mastectomy: Breast tissue is completely removed, underarm lymph nodes and sub-chest muscles are left in place.
Double Mastectomy: It is especially preferred for preventive treatment. Both breasts are removed at once.
Radical Mastectomy: All of the breast tissue, lymph nodes in the armpit, and the breast muscles are removed.
Modified Radical Mastectomy: All breast tissue and armpit lymph nodes are removed. Chest muscles are left in place.
Nipple Sparing Mastectomy: The skin, nipple and peripheral breast tissue are left intact. It is an innovative mastectomy technique.
Skin Sparing Mastectomy: While the breast tissue and nipple are removed, the breast is reconstructed and the skin is left intact.
In which situations is Mastectomy performed?
There are some cases where mastectomy operation may be considered necessary as a treatment method. It is possible to rank them as follows:
Early-stage and advanced stage in breast cancer treatment
Preventive (prophylactic) treatment of patients with a high risk of developing breast cancer and a history of breast cancer in their relatives
Inflammatory breast cancer
Paget's disease
Multiple tumors in different parts of the breast
Extensive microcalcification (calcium accumulation) throughout the breast, which is determined to be cancer,
Inability to receive radiation therapy due to pregnancy
Still having breast cancer after lumpectomy
High probability of re-development of cancer in the breast that has previously had cancer,
The tumor is large compared to the size of the breast.
The patient has different health problems that cannot afford the side effects of radiation.