Mastectomy

Comprehensive care for breast cancer and benign breast diseases—advanced tests and treatments close to home.

Overview What to Expect Frequently Asked Questions Research

What Is A Mastectomy?

Mastectomy is a surgery that removes the whole breast, often including the nipple, areola, and nearby lymph nodes, to treat or prevent breast cancer.

When choosing where to find breast cancer care, it’s important to have an experienced, trusted team by your side. Texas Oncology is a leader in breast surgery care across Texas. Our surgeons are experts in mastectomy procedures and work with you to create a personalized treatment plan that prioritizes your health, recovery, and quality of life.

Mastectomy is performed to treat certain types of breast cancer and to help prevent disease in those with a high genetic risk for developing breast cancer.

Your doctor may recommend mastectomy as an option for treating the following conditions and risks:

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)

DCIS is a noninvasive form of breast cancer where abnormal cells are found in the lining of a breast duct.

Invasive breast cancer

Invasive breast cancer is cancer that has spread past the breast ducts (lobules) and into the surrounding breast tissue.

Inflammatory breast cancer

Inflammatory breast cancer — a rare and aggressive form of breast cancer — causes the breast to become red, swollen, and warm.

Paget disease of the breast (or nipple)

Paget disease is a rare form of breast cancer that starts at the nipple and may extend to the areola.

Recurrent breast cancer

Recurrent breast cancer is cancer that returns after a previous surgery, such as lumpectomy and radiation.

High-risk genetic mutations

People with genetic mutations like BRCA1, BRCA2, or PALB2 may opt to have a preventive (prophylactic) mastectomy to try to lower their breast cancer risk.

Family history of breast cancer

Women who have several close family members who have been affected by breast cancer may also consider having a mastectomy as a preventive measure.

Loading component...

Each type of mastectomy is designed to address both your medical needs and personal preferences. Your surgical team will help you decide on the best option based on your diagnosis, overall health, and reconstruction goals.

Contralateral prophylactic mastectomy

A contralateral prophylactic mastectomy removes the healthy breast in addition to the diseased breast for patients who have cancer on one side and a high genetic risk for developing cancer.

Double mastectomy

Double mastectomy removes both breasts and may involve skin- or nipple-sparing techniques to aid in reconstruction.

Modified radical mastectomy

A modified radical mastectomy removes the breast and most of the underarm lymph nodes but leaves the chest muscles intact.

Nipple-sparing mastectomy

Nipple-sparing mastectomy saves the nipple and areola if cancer is not found in or near them.

Prophylactic mastectomy

A prophylactic mastectomy removes one or both breasts to lower the risk of developing cancer in the future. This type of mastectomy is often recommended for those with BRCA or similar genetic mutations.

Radical mastectomy

Radical mastectomies, which are rarely done, remove the chest muscles in addition to breast tissues if cancer has spread to the chest wall.

Simple (total) mastectomy

A total mastectomy removes the entire breast, nipple, and areola but leaves the chest muscles intact.

Skin-sparing mastectomy

Skin-sparing mastectomy preserves the greatest amount of skin from the breast to allow for more natural-looking reconstruction results.

Loading component...

Our surgeons take great care to minimize the possible risks of mastectomy and to support your recovery every step of the way. Some potential risks to consider include:

Nerve damage

Nerve damage during surgery can lead to numbness, tingling, or pain in the chest wall, armpit, or arm.

Scar tissue

Scar tissue that forms where incisions were made can become hard or lumpy and uncomfortable.

Lymphedema

If lymph nodes are removed during surgery, you may develop lymphedema, which is swelling of the arm, chest, or neck due to fluid buildup.

Additional surgery

If a problem develops after the initial surgery, additional surgery may be needed. Only about 5% of patients, on average, need additional surgery after mastectomy.

While recovering from breast surgery, you may experience some of these side effects, which are usually temporary:

Bleeding at the surgery site
Bruising
Infection at the surgery site
Limited arm or shoulder movement
Nerve pain in the chest, armpit or arm
Numbness in the chest or upper arm
Pain and tenderness
Seroma (collection of fluids under the surface of the skin)
Swelling at the surgery site

Your breast surgeon will talk with you about ways to minimize side effects, and we’re here to help if you have any concerns.

Loading component...

What To Expect With A Mastectomy

Our team is committed to guiding you through every step of your procedure, helping you feel informed, confident, and fully prepared for your mastectomy.

On your surgery day, you’ll change into a hospital gown and wait in a pre-op area, where loved ones can wait with you. You’ll meet your anesthesiologist, who will review your medical history and discuss anesthesia with you.

Your surgeon or their assistant may draw incision marks on your breast while you’re sitting up. Then, a nurse will place an IV in your hand or arm to deliver medication designed to relax you.

Once you’re in the operating room, you’ll receive general anesthesia. After you’re asleep, the surgical team will insert a breathing tube to help you breathe freely during surgery.

During your mastectomy, your surgeon removes the appropriate breast tissue based on the chosen procedure. They may also remove additional structures depending on the type of procedure.

Your surgeon may also remove 1 to 5 lymph nodes from under the arm (sentinel lymph node dissection). A pathologist will check the removed nodes during the surgery, and if they find cancer cells, your surgeon may elect to remove additional lymph nodes (axillary lymph node dissection) to try to ensure all the cancer is removed.

If you've opted to have immediate breast reconstruction with tissue expanders, implants, or tissue flaps, a plastic surgeon will perform the reconstruction during the same procedure. If not, your surgeon will create a flat closure.

Your surgeon puts surgical drains in place to collect excess fluid and then stitches the incisions closed and applies bandages. In most cases, your breathing tube will be removed before you leave the operating room.

After your mastectomy, you’ll be moved to a recovery room, where your care team will monitor your vital signs. If you feel pain or nausea from the anesthesia, a nurse can provide medication.

You may be able to go home the same day if no lymph nodes were removed, only sentinel nodes were removed, or if you had immediate reconstruction with a tissue expander or implant. Otherwise, you can expect a hospital stay of up to 3 days, or 2 to 5 days if you chose to have skin removed from another part of your body to create a breast mound (flap reconstruction). This longer stay allows your care team to monitor blood flow to the grafted tissue.

Before you leave our facility, your surgeon or nurse will give you instructions for managing pain, changing your bandages, caring for your surgical drains, and monitoring your recovery. Most stitches dissolve on their own. You will also receive an appointment for a follow-up visit. Your care team is by your side throughout your recovery to support and guide you.

Loading component...

FAQs

How long does a mastectomy take?

If you have a mastectomy without breast reconstruction, the surgery will likely take between 1 to 3 hours. But if you choose to have reconstruction at the same time, surgery time increases to 3 to 4 hours if you’re getting implants or tissue expanders, and 6 to 8 hours for tissue flap reconstruction.

Will I need radiation therapy if I have a mastectomy?

Most women do not need radiation therapy after mastectomy. But in some situations, radiation may be used to target the chest wall and lymph nodes. If chemotherapy is part of your treatment, radiation typically follows once chemotherapy is complete.

Will a preventive mastectomy eliminate my risk of developing breast cancer?

Having a preventive bilateral mastectomy can reduce your risk of developing breast cancer by 95% or more if you carry the BRCA1 or BRCA 2 gene mutation. It can reduce your risk by up to 90% if breast cancer runs in your family. But a small risk remains, because a mastectomy can’t eliminate all breast tissue cells.

What insurances does Texas Oncology accept?

At Texas Oncology, we strive to provide affordable care. That includes accepting a wide range of insurances. We accept most insurance plans and work with other insurance companies to establish coverage for patients whenever possible.

Loading component...

Why Choose Texas Oncology

Our team of specialists is dedicated to your health and well-being. When you come to us for care, you will find:

Leading expertise
Our specialists trained at leading institutions across the country. They bring their extensive knowledge and skills of treating each case.

Personalized attention
With our care team, you receive an individualized evaluation and care plan. We are with you and your loved ones at every step, from diagnosis to treatment and beyond.

Loading component...

Comprehensive support
Your mental health matters, so we incorporate social and emotional care into your treatment plan. Our team provides counseling, financial guidance, and help with transportation and other needs.

Loading component...

Locations

Find Care Near You

‌

‌
‌

Loading component...

A physician wearing a stethoscope and light blue shirt reviews information on a tablet with an older female patient in a bright clinical setting, with medication bottles visible on the table in the foreground

find care

Our team of compassionate, highly trained urologists provides comprehensive treatment options tailored to your individual needs. We’re here to guide you with expertise, respect, and care — every step of the way.

Find A Provider

Loading component...

Two Texas Oncology physicians in white lab coats reviewing scan images together in a darkened imaging room with multiple monitors displaying CT scans, used for the Texas Oncology clinical trials component.

Clinical Trials

Texas Oncology is a leader in groundbreaking cancer research and clinical trials in Texas, paving the way for new breakthroughs in cancer care.

Find a Trial

Mastectomy

Loading component...

Clinical Trials

Clinical Trials

Loading component...

Before

During

After

FAQs

How long does a mastectomy take?

Will I need radiation therapy if I have a mastectomy?

Will a preventive mastectomy eliminate my risk of developing breast cancer?

What insurances does Texas Oncology accept?

Find Care Near You

Find Care Near You

What Is A Mastectomy?

Conditions treated by mastectomy

Types of mastectomy

Risks of mastectomy

Before

During

After

FAQs

How long does a mastectomy take?

Will I need radiation therapy if I have a mastectomy?

Will a preventive mastectomy eliminate my risk of developing breast cancer?

What insurances does Texas Oncology accept?

Find Care Near You

Find Care Near You

Clinical Trials

Clinical Trials