Depending on the size and location of the tumor, mastectomy may be a
great option to treat breast cancer. Simple mastectomy is the removal of all
breast tissue; the armpit lymph nodes are left in place. A radical mastectomy
is a simple mastectomy accompanied by a complete axillary lymph node recess. If
the simple mastectomy procedure is not followed by immediate breast
reconstruction, the healing period is usually two weeks.
During the simple mastectomy, the surgeon removes all tissue, including
the skin and the nipple, to make sure that all of the cancer cells are removed.
The need for a simple mastectomy is based on various factors, such as the size
of the breast, the number of lesions, the aggressive nature of cancer, the
possibility of undergoing adjuvant radiotherapy, and the patient's tolerance to
other risk factors.
Who Is This For?
Doctors use simple mastectomy when:
Treatment Duration
30 minutes
Potential Risks & Side
Effects
Although a simple mastectomy is generally considered safe, there are some risks of side effects or complications. The most common side effects are:
Recovery Time
It may take 2-3 weeks to return to work after simple mastectomy, if you
undergo any additional treatments, this time may be prolonged.
Success Rate: 85%
Alternative Treatments
How Does it Work?
In the simple mastectomy breast tissue, nipple and areola (the dark skin
around the nipple) are removed, but the pectoral muscle under the breast or the
lymph nodes under the arm are not. However, a lymph node biopsy can be done to
evaluate the tumor results in the laboratory after the surgery. If adjuvant
chemotherapy is recommended, it will be given after the simple mastectomy
procedure. If radiation therapy and chemotherapy are offered together,
radiation therapy will likely follow chemotherapy.
What Does a Simple
mastectomy Involve?
1. Consultation for Simple mastectomy
Your treatment process begins with an online
consultation. Our experts listen to your complaints, your health story, your
tumor progression status, and your expectations; They will inform you about
whether you need a simple mastectomy or other treatments. It is important to
share all your health information that may be useful at this stage. If
available, please share your diagnosis and treatment process documents, imaging
results and information about your current health status with the health
providers during this online consultation.
2. Planning Your Trip and Choosing the Clinic
After your first evaluation for simple
mastectomy, treatment is finalized and you want to move on to the second step,
we offer a list of clinics that meet the criteria you provide us. You will then
examine all of them and decide on one of them. Depending on your choice, we
move on to planning your trip and the entire treatment process.
3. Final Consultation with Your Surgeon
When you arrive at the clinic, you will have a
face-to-face consultation with your doctor. Everything about your simple
mastectomy surgery will be discussed and decided during this consultation. The doctor
will ask you some questions to try to understand your expectations and concerns
better and also make you understand what you should expect from your treatment
and the potential risks or complications of the procedure. Your doctor will
explain the whole process clearly and try to simulate it as much as possible,
in order you to feel comfortable and ready.
4. Medical Examinations
Before the simple mastectomy surgery begins,
your doctor will conduct physical and blood tests to make sure that you are in
acceptable health status for the process. Every patient is required to undergo
medical tests to ensure that nothing can hinder the success of the procedure
and if any risk obtained, doctors will try to eliminate them first.
5. Treatment
After the whole preparation period, it's time to relax and trust your experienced doctor and clinic, who will help you to get rid of the tumor you have and to take a step to a healthier life. The simple mastectomy will consist of the following steps:
What Should I Expect from Simple Mastectomy?
FAQ
Is Simple Mastectomy Procedure
Painful?
Post-operative pain due to injury to the skin or muscles is generally very moderate and justifies taking analgesics for a few days.
When Can I Have Breast Reconstruction Surgery After Simple Mastectomy?
The breast reconstruction procedure can be done during simple mastectomy surgery or it can start after the cancer treatment is completed.
How Does Simple Mastectomy Differ from Total Mastectomy?
During a simple mastectomy,
the surgeon removes the breast tissue, nipple, areola, and skin but not all the
lymph nodes. However, in a total mastectomy surgery, the entire breast
(including the breast tissue, skin, areola and nipple and most of the underarm
(axillary) lymph nodes) are removed.
Our team will dedicate their effort and time to help you choose the clinic best for you. Our goal is not just to find ‘a doctor’ for you, but to find ‘the right doctor’.