A mastectomy is removal of breast tissue, with or without removal of the overlying skin, nipple, areola and lymph nodes in the armpit region. A mastectomy can be classified into different types, as listed below.
- Simple mastectomy
- Skin-sparing mastectomy
- Nipple-sparing mastectomy
- Radical mastectomy
- Bilateral mastectomy
It is important to remember that each surgical procedure will be unique to the individual so it isn\’t possible to give a definitive outcome for everyone. Likewise, every type of surgery involves some risk and for some women who will have a breast removed, problems may arise. Be sure to explore your own particular risk and likely outcome with your surgeon in detail.