This procedure removes the breast, the underarm
lymph nodes, and the lining over the chest muscles. Sometimes the
smaller of the two chest muscles is also removed. This procedure is
also called "total mastectomy with axillary (or underarm)
dissection" and today is the most common treatment of early stage
breast cancer.
- Advantages
-Keeps the chest muscle and the muscle
strength of the arm. Swelling is less likely, and when it occurs it
is milder than the swelling that can occur after a radical
mastectomy. Leaves a better appearance than the radical. Survival
rates are the same as for the radical mastectomy when cancer is
treated in its early stages. Breast reconstruction is easier and
can be planned before surgery.
- Disadvantages
-The breast is removed. In some
cases, there may be swelling of the arm because of the removal of
the lymph nodes.