Mastectomy

Who it is for

• Cancer that is large relative to the size of the breast
• Cancer present in more than one separate area of the same breast
• Patients for whom radiotherapy is not possible or appropriate
• Patients who, understanding both options, prefer it

What to expect

For cancers where both operations are suitable, large studies with long follow-up have found comparable long-term survival between breast conservation with radiotherapy and mastectomy.

Lymph node surgery is usually carried out at the same time.

A drain is often placed to remove fluid from the space left behind, and may stay in for several days.

Recovery

Recovery generally takes longer than after breast-conserving surgery, particularly where lymph node surgery has been carried out. Your surgeon will give you guidance specific to your operation.

Risks and possible complications

Every operation carries risk, and the list below is general rather than complete. Which of these matter for you depends on your health, your anatomy and what is being treated, which is what the consent conversation before surgery is for.

• Bleeding, infection, or a collection of fluid under the skin flaps that may need draining more than once
• Partial loss of the skin flaps, which can delay healing
• Permanent loss of sensation across the chest wall
• Chronic pain or nerve pain in a minority of people
• A lasting change in body image, which is a real cost of the operation and not a minor one
• Shoulder stiffness, particularly where lymph node surgery is done at the same time

No surgeon can promise a particular result, and nothing on this page should be read as one.