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The surgical procedure of a mastectomy consists of the surgical removal of all tissue from a breast. Most often, this type of procedure is performed to treat or reduce the probability of breast cancer.
There are two elements involved in a mastectomy: one is the actual removal of the tissue, and the second is the possible removal of skin and/or nipples. Both have been improved upon with new techniques, allowing some surgeons to preserve both for potential reconstructive purposes.
If the reconstruction occurs immediately following the mastectomy, both procedures are referred to as "Concurrent Mastectomy/ Breast Reconstruction" as opposed to "Delayed Breast Reconstruction" for those who wait for some time after the procedure to undergo reconstruction. The reconstructive process can involve more than one surgical procedure, depending upon the size of the reconstruction.
What Is A Mastectomy?
A mastectomy is a surgical procedure that removes all of the breast tissue. It is one of the major surgical treatments for breast cancer, and it can be used to treat almost every type of breast cancer; in this case, the healthcare provider will likely recommend mastectomy surgery if you are at high risk for breast cancer.
If you have breast cancer and need treatment, taking out the cancer cells is the most effective way to prevent further spread of the disease. All of the breast tissue where the cancer cells are located will be removed during a mastectomy surgical procedure; you may still have to undergo other forms of treatment after having a mastectomy to eliminate any remaining cancer cells in the healthy surrounding tissue.
A mastectomy procedure can be performed on patients with the following types of breast cancer:
Choosing to have a mastectomy can be an overwhelming decision to make. You do not have to make this decision alone; your healthcare provider will assist you in determining which type of mastectomy is right for you and explain what each entails so that you can make an informed decision. You can work with your healthcare provider to find the mastectomy that best fits your medical needs, aids in your recovery, and provides you with peace of mind.
Why is Mastectomy Done?
These are the general causes of a mastectomy:
Breast Cancer Treatment: In some cases, mastectomy is done to remove the cancerous breast tissue when other forms of treatment like chemotherapy or radiation are inappropriate or when the cancer is large or has spread massively within the breast.
As a Preventive Intervention: Mastectomy should be considered a preventive intervention in people who are at high risk of breast cancer, such as those who have a strong family history of breast cancer in the family or bear carriers of some genetic mutations, such as BRCA1 or BRCA2.
Risk Reduction in High-Risk Patients: In patients who have had breast cancer in one breast, the mastectomy of the opposite breast (contralateral prophylactic mastectomy) can be suggested in order to decrease the possibility to develop cancer in the non-affected breast.
Precancerous Conditions: Mastectomy Mastectomy can be used to prevent the occurrence of invasive breast cancer by treating such precancerous conditions as ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) or lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS).
What happens when even Conservative Treatments are not sufficient: There are instances where conservative measures like lumpectomy with subsequent radiation therapy are not sufficient to treat the cancer or prevent its recurrence, hence the necessity of mastectomy.
Mastectomy can be of various forms, depending on the amount of tissue excised. The decision on the type of mastectomy is based on many factors, such as the size and location of the tumour, whether the cancer has extended to lymph nodes, the choice of the patient and whether the patient can undergo breast reconstructions. These are the various forms of mastectomies.
Total (simple) mastectomy: A total mastectomy (simple mastectomy) is one where the entire breast tissue, breast skin, nipple and areola are removed. In some cases, your provider can also remove several lymph nodes in your underarm region (axillary lymph nodes).
Modified radical mastectomy: Modified radical mastectomy is the same as total mastectomy. This removes all the breast tissue, breast skin, nipple and areola. And it takes away your axillary lymph nodes, most of them or all.
Skin-sparing mastectomy: This is where all your breast tissue, including nipple and areola are removed. But it leaves a majority of your breast skin. This skin pocket can be used by your provider when doing reconstructive surgery.
Nipple-sparing mastectomy: An example of a skin-sparing mastectomy is a nipple-sparing mastectomy. It takes all your breasts off. But it leaves your months, nipple and areola. This skin pocket can be used by your provider in carrying out the breast reconstruction.
Here are a few other terms you might hear:
Double (bilateral) mastectomy: This means removing both breasts completely. People go through this if they have cancer in both breasts, or sometimes if their risk of cancer is really high on both sides.
Prophylactic (preventive) mastectomy: Some people choose this surgery when tests show they have a high lifetime risk of breast cancer. For example, if you carry certain genetic changes like BRCA mutations, this option helps lower your risk.
Partial mastectomy (lumpectomy): This surgery takes out just the tumour and a little bit of healthy tissue around it, so you keep most of your breast. Doctors often recommend a lumpectomy for some types of breast cancer.
Individuals, prior to the actual surgery of having a mastectomy performed, have gone through a thorough pre-operative period regarding both emotional and physical preparation. The following are some of the things that happen during this pre-operative period:
Consultations with Healthcare Team: Patients will typically schedule consultations with all members of their healthcare team, such as their surgeon, oncologist, and any other necessary members of their healthcare team, to go over the details of the surgical procedure, review the potential risks and benefits, and answer any questions or concerns patients may have.
Medical Evaluation: Patient will undergo a physical examination to evaluate their general health and allow the surgeon to decide what would be the correct way to conduct the surgery. During this time, patients may have blood work completed or imaging techniques such as X-ray or CT scan performed.
Emotional Preparation: Patients will often take some time to process their emotions and potentially discuss their emotions with family members or with the help of a mental health professional. They may also discuss their concerns with their healthcare team to identify coping strategies.
Pre-operative Instructions: Prior to the day of surgery, patients receive specific pre-operative instructions to include information on how long they should fast, whether or not to take medications, and the proper skincare routine.
Logistical Planning: Patients will plan for transportation to and from the hospital on the date of their surgery, as well as for assistance at home during the initial recovery period.
During the Procedure
The mastectomy process involves surgically removing the breast tissue while providing the patient with safety and comfort. The following is an outline of what happens during a mastectomy;
Anaesthesia: Patients will receive anaesthesia, which allows them to remain comfortable and free of pain during their surgical procedures.
Surgical Techniques: The surgeon will make an incision into the breast where he needs to cut into the breast and remove the breast tissue according to his previously planned method of performing a mastectomy.
Lymph Node Evaluation:For those patients who need it, lymph nodes will either be sampled (checked for cancer) or removed during the procedure to determine if the cancer is present in those nodes as well.
Closure and Dressing: After the surgeon has removed all of the necessary tissue, the surgeon will then close all of the incisions and place sterile dressing(s) on all of the incisions to promote healing of the surgical site.
Reconstruction: A breast reconstruction can sometimes be done at the same time as the mastectomy to help restore the shape and contour of the breast.
Post-Mastectomy Care
Post-operative care is critical after mastectomy to heal, cope with and recover. Patients will be able to expect the following:
Pain Control: Patients can also be suffering and this can be treated by taking prescribed drugs or analgesic measures.
Wound Care: Patients adhere to instructions on how to take care of incisions keeping them clean and dry to minimize the chances of infections.
Physical Activities: The patients slowly re-enter the light activities but they do not engage in arduous activities until they are signed by their medical personnel.
Emotional Support: The patients need to process emotional issues through the help of the loved ones or specialists.
Follow-Up Care: The patients visit follow-up sessions to view the progress as well as to discuss any questions and concerns and to get additional treatment advice.
The average cost of a mastectomy in India ranges between USD 3000 and USD 4000.
Cost of Mastectomy in Major Cities of India
|
City |
Min Cost (USD) |
Max Cost (USD) |
|
Ahmedabad |
USD 2700 |
USD 3600 |
|
Amroha |
USD 2400 |
USD 3200 |
|
Bangalore |
USD 3000 |
USD 4000 |
|
Chennai |
USD 3000 |
USD 4000 |
|
Delhi |
USD 3000 |
USD 4000 |
|
Faridabad |
USD 3000 |
USD 4000 |
|
Ghaziabad |
USD 3000 |
USD 4000 |
|
Gurgaon |
USD 3000 |
USD 4000 |
|
Gurugram |
USD 3000 |
USD 4000 |
|
Hyderabad |
USD 3000 |
USD 4000 |
|
Kochi |
USD 3000 |
USD 4000 |
|
Kolkata |
USD 3000 |
USD 4000 |
|
Mohali |
USD 2700 |
USD 3600 |
|
Mumbai |
USD 3000 |
USD 4000 |
|
Noida |
USD 3000 |
USD 4000 |
|
Panjim |
USD 2700 |
USD 3600 |
|
Pune |
USD 2700 |
USD 3600 |
Mastectomy is a large surgical operation and there are risks that will require adequate post-operative care. The level of risk will differ based on the type of mastectomy performed, the patient’s overall health, and the experience of the doctor performing the mastectomy. Some of the risks associated with a mastectomy are:
Infection: This occurs in only 1-2% of patients but is still a risk associated with mastectomy. Post-operative care is performed by all surgical staff to help reduce any chance of developing an infection.
Bleeding: This will also occur in only 1-2% of patients but exemplifies the importance of follow-up monitoring and sterile surgical techniques during the surgical procedure.
Seroma: A collection of fluid that forms between the skin and tissue. It may occur in some patients (10-20%). While this is a greater indication of post-operative care, it must also be addressed in outpatient care to ensure proper healing.
Hematoma: This will also occur in approximately 1-2% of patients and, like seroma, is a medical emergency that requires immediate medical attention after discovery.
Lymphedema: Some patients may develop swelling of the arm or hand as a result of having the lymph nodes removed from their armpit. This occurs in about 20-30% of mastectomy surgeries. Therefore, close surveillance of the patient after the end of the mastectomy is essential to help ensure early recognition and proper management of lymphedema.
Post-mastectomy Pain - Almost all women have some amount of pain after having a mastectomy. The pain is usually manageable if addressed properly with pain medication, and your healthcare provider can assist you in managing your pain by communicating openly with them about the types of pain you are experiencing.
Scarring - Every woman will have a scar after having a mastectomy, and the type of mastectomy performed will determine the size and overall appearance of the scar. Accepting your own personal journey and healing process as a result of the mastectomy will help you to better manage the emotional aspects of your scarring.
Nerve Damage 1-2% of the time - Although it can determine if you will continue to experience numbness or tingling in the affected breast/arm because of possible nerve damage, nerve damage is a potential result of having a mastectomy but can occur infrequently.
Damage to Chest Wall Muscles 1-2% of the time - Damage to chest wall muscles and/or pain and weakness in the arms can occur from mastectomy in an exceedingly small percentage of cases, and underscores the necessity of a surgeon’s skill when performing this procedure.
Rib Fractures 1-2% of the time - There can also be very rare cases of women fracturing ribs while recovering from a mastectomy; due to this possibility, women will be monitored closely after surgery for recovery.
Damage to Heart and/or Lungs - Damaging to the heart and/or lungs is rare, but there have been isolated incidents where patients have had complications that resulted in damage to one or both structures due to having undergone a mastectomy.
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