simple mastectomy

surgery

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Last updated

July 13, 2026

Quick Summary

A simple mastectomy is a surgical procedure to remove an entire breast. This operation is typically performed to treat breast cancer, but can also be used for other breast conditions.1

There are different types of mastectomies, and the choice depends on the specifics of the disease. A simple mastectomy involves removing only the breast tissue. In contrast, a radical mastectomy is a more extensive surgery that includes the removal of the breast, chest muscles, and lymph nodes, usually when cancer is advanced. A modified radical mastectomy removes the breast and some lymph nodes but preserves the chest muscle.12

Early detection of breast cancer significantly improves survival rates. While a simple mastectomy allows for breast reconstruction, a radical mastectomy does not.32

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mastectomy
Other mastectomy methods include simple mastectomy, or the removal of only the breast; simple mastectomy with axillary lymph node dissection; and local incision, sometimes called “lumpectomy,” in which only the tumour is removed.
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Other mastectomy methods include simple mastectomy, or the removal of only the breast; simple mastectomy with axillary lymph node dissection; and local incision, sometimes called “lumpectomy,” in which only the tumour is removed.
Read More