Function

Simple mastectomies focus on removing breast tissue, in order to treat cancer, or to prevent it from occurring in high-risk patients. According to breastcancer.org, patients with multiple areas of ductal carcinoma in situ (the earliest form of cancer) are candidates for a simple mastectomy.

Features

Unlike more radical mastectomy procedures, simple mastectomies do not involve the removal of underarm lymph nodes, or muscle from beneath the breast. However, breastcancer.org states that if a lymph node lies within breast tissue being removed, then the lymph node is removed as well.

Considerations

Radiation therapy is not typically recommended after a simple mastectomy for patients in the early stages of breast cancer. However, mayoclinic.com states that radiation can be recommended for patients with larger tumors (greater than 4cm), if cancer cells are present in lymph nodes, or if the cancer is located near the chest wall.

Risks

According to breastcancer.org, following a simple mastectomy patients may experience fatigue, soreness of the arm, heightened sensitivity in the surgery area, fluid collection under incision area, infection, and the development of scar tissue.

Expert Insight

Before a simple mastectomy, a patient should ask her doctor about his surgical history and credentials, surgery risks, anesthesia, the hospital stay, recovery, and how her chest will look following the procedure.

Source:

BreastCancer.org: What is Mastectomy?

MayoClinic.org: Breast Cancer Simple (Total) Mastectomy