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A surgical procedure that removes the breast, surrounding tissue, and nearby lymph nodes.
The purpose for modified radical mastectomy is the removal of breast cancer.
Modified radical mastectomy is the most widely used surgical procedure to treat operable breast cancer.
Involves the removal of all breast tissue and part of the overlying skin including the nipple-areola complex.
This procedure leaves the pectoralis major intact, providing a soft tissue covering over the chest wall and a normal-appearing junction of the shoulder with the anterior chest wall.
Leaving the pectoralis major muscle will avoid a disfiguring hollow defect below the clavicle.
A modified radical mastectomy allows for the option of breast reconstruction , a procedure that is possible, if desired, due to intact muscles around the shoulder of the affected side.
This procedure aims to minimize any chance of local/regional recurrence; avoid any loss of function; and maximize options for breast reconstruction.
Incisions are made to avoid visibility in a low neckline dress or bathing suit.
An ellipse-shaped incision is performing and a minimal amount of skin and tissue is removed.
Remaining healthy tissue can be used for possible reconstruction.
Skin flaps are as thin as possible to maximize removal of diseased breast tissues.
The skin over the pectoralis major fascia is removed.
In the axillary region, the surgeon carefully protects the vital structures while removing cancerous tissues.
Risks associated with modified radical mastectomy: risk of general anesthesia, pain and tenderness, edema of the arm, nerves in the area may be damaged, numbness in the arm or difficulty moving shoulder muscles, risk of developing a keloid, risk that surgery does not remove all the cancer, risk is recurrence of cancer, and risk of infection.
The surgical area should completely heal within three to four weeks.
After mastectomy, some women may undergo breast reconstruction.
Surgery is recommended for tumors with dimensions over 5 cm.
A standard treatment recommendations for stage III breast cancer.
5% of patients have inflammation or infection of the arm.