Click here to view an animated version of this procedure. A
mastectomy is a surgery done to remove breast tissue. A number
of different mastectomy procedures exist, including: - Partial
mastectomy or lumpectomy—a tumor and a small margin of
surrounding breast tissue is removed - Simple mastectomy—the
entire breast is removed - Modified radical mastectomy—entire
breast and some lymph nodes in the armpit are removed, but chest
muscles are left in place - Radical mastectomy—entire breast,
lymph nodes, and chest muscle are removed (rarely done) Reasons
for Procedure A mastectomy is done: - To treat breast cancer -
To prevent breast cancer if you have a family history of the
disease and are at very high risk for breast cancer
(occasionally done) - To treat severe side effects from previous
treatment for breast cancer (rarely done) Complications are
rare, but no procedure is completely free of risk. If you are
planning to have a mastectomy, your doctor will review a list of
possible complications, which may include