How much tissue is removed in a mastectomy?

The surgeon removes all of the breast tissue. In most, but not all cases, the nipple and areola are also removed. The surgeon closes the skin with stitches and puts in 1-2 tubes (surgical drains) so fluid from the wound can drain out (see image below).


How much breast tissue remains after mastectomy?

The amount of breast tissue left may also be affected by the surgical technique. Studies of skin-sparing mastectomy revealed that 5-60% of cases have residual breast tissue on the skin flaps [7,8,9].

How much skin is removed in a mastectomy?

In a skin-sparing mastectomy, the breast tissue is removed while most of the healthy breast skin is left. This method is used only if the patient will have immediate breast reconstruction. If surgery to rebuild the breast will happen later, more breast skin will be removed.


Does mastectomy remove all breast tissue?

A mastectomy is surgery to remove all breast tissue from a breast as a way to treat or prevent breast cancer. For those with early-stage breast cancer, a mastectomy may be one treatment option. Breast-conserving surgery (lumpectomy), in which only the tumor is removed from the breast, may be another option.

What tissue is left after mastectomy?

Conclusions: After a mastectomy, there is a high probability of residual breast tissue. This tissue is predominantly located in the middle circle of the superficial dissection plane and in the lower outer quadrant.


Breast Cancer Surgery (2009)



Can breast tissue grow back after a mastectomy?

In most instances, all of your breast tissue is removed during a mastectomy. As a result, it is extremely unlikely that your breast tissue will grow back after the procedure. Fortunately, you can undergo breast reconstruction to restore a natural breast appearance.

Do they remove muscle during mastectomy?

Simple (or total) mastectomy

In this procedure, the surgeon removes the entire breast, including the nipple, areola, fascia (covering) of the pectoralis major muscle (main chest muscle), and skin. A few underarm lymph nodes might be removed as part of a sentinel lymph node biopsy depending on the situation.

What is the most common complication of mastectomy?

What are the risks of a mastectomy?
  • Short-term (temporary) breast swelling.
  • Breast soreness.
  • Hardness due to scar tissue that can form at the site of the cut (incision)
  • Wound infection or bleeding.
  • Swelling (lymphedema) of the arm, if lymph nodes were removed.
  • Pain in the breast that has been removed (phantom breast pain).


What all is removed in a mastectomy?

The surgeon removes the entire breast and the lining of the chest muscle, but no other tissue. For some women, much of the skin of the breast may be left intact for breast reconstruction (called a skin-sparing mastectomy). In some cases, the nipple may also be left intact (called a nipple-sparing mastectomy).

Is mastectomy a high risk surgery?

Like any type of surgery, a mastectomy can have risks and side effects, some of which could affect your quality of life. Because of this, preventive surgery is not usually a good option for women who are at average risk of breast cancer, or for those who are at only slightly increased risk.

Do you lose a lot of blood during a mastectomy?

The main conclusions we can make from this study are that most patients lose less than 400 g of blood during mastectomy, and the amount of blood lost could be considerable in patients with large breasts (more than 2 kg weight) as they are at risk of significant blood loss (1000 mg or more) during mastectomy.


How painful is mastectomy recovery?

Reports indicate that 40 to 60 percent of patients who undergo mastectomy suffer from chronic pain — pain lasting longer than three months.

Does everyone get lymphedema after mastectomy?

Secondary lymphedema is arguably the most problematic and dreaded complication of breast cancer treatment. Although the incidence is generally accepted at approximately 30%, reported rates vary greatly, ranging between 2% and 83%.

How far up is breast tissue?

Breast tissue extends from the collarbone to lower ribs, sternum (breastbone) and armpit.


Does breast tissue grow back after explant?

In some cases, the breasts will just regain their initial size and shape. However, in most cases, breast explant surgery might leave patients' breasts sagging due to the impact of aging and the stretching caused by the implants.

Is it normal to lose weight after mastectomy?

While it's more common for people to gain weight during and after treatment, some people lose weight. Gaining or losing a few pounds is normal, but a considerable weight change — say 5% to 10% of your total body weight — could have an effect on your health.

Do they always remove lymph nodes with mastectomy?

Do The Lymph Nodes Always Need To Be Removed? Not always, especially when there is no evidence of any cancer in the lymph system. A mastectomy or lumpectomy operation will most often include either a sentinel node biopsy or an axillary node dissection.


Is a mastectomy considered major surgery?

It's major surgery that removes both breasts to remove cancer, or to reduce the risk of breast cancer in a woman who may be at high risk for the disease. It usually requires a short hospital stay and a longer recovery time that may take a few weeks to several weeks, depending on the circumstances.

What are the long term effects of mastectomy?

Long-term physical changes include anatomic changes, chronic pain, phantom breast pain, axillary web syndrome, and lymphedema. In addition, women may have decreased strength, aerobic capacity, mobility, fatigue, and cognitive dysfunction.

Why is my stomach swollen after mastectomy?

Blood collecting around the operation site (haematoma)

Occasionally blood collects in the tissues around the wound. This can cause pain and swelling, and the area might feel hard. The haematoma normally goes away on its own, but it can take a few months. Your doctor or nurse can drain the swelling if needed.


What nerves are cut during mastectomy?

The main nerves at risk during mastectomy are: ICBN, medial and lateral pectoral, thoracodorsal, long thoracic and intercostal nerves. Nerve injury can be direct via transection (neurotmesis), or indirect from traction, compression or scar adhesion (neuropraxia, axonotmesis).

Can nerves grow back after mastectomy?

Nerves take time to regenerate, because they grow at a rate of about 1 mm/day. It may take several months after your surgery before you notice sensation returning, and the change in sensation can continue to develop for up to two years.

How long are you on bed rest after a mastectomy?

It's not uncommon to take several weeks off from work while recovering from surgery — both physically and emotionally. The amount of time taken varies from person to person, but usually this ranges between 4 and 8 weeks.


How long after a mastectomy can you use that arm?

You will probably be able to do your normal activities in 3 to 6 weeks. Avoid repeated motions with your affected arm, such as weed pulling, window cleaning, or vacuuming, for 6 months. Avoid lifting anything over 4.5 to 7 kilograms for 4 to 6 weeks.