Types of mastectomy

Total mastectomy (also called simple mastectomy). In this type of surgery, the surgeon removes your whole breast, including the nipple, areola, breast tissue, and skin. Sometimes, they also remove one or more of the lymph nodes under your arm in a procedure called sentinel lymph node biopsy.

Modified radical mastectomy. This is the same as a total mastectomy, but the surgeon also removes lymph nodes under your arm (axillary lymph node dissection). Because cancer cells may spread to the lymph nodes, lymph node removal can help reduce the risk of the cancer coming back. But it is often used only for more advanced stages of breast cancer.

Skin-sparing mastectomy. The surgeon removes the whole breast, as in a total mastectomy, but leaves the skin. A skin-sparing mastectomy leaves less scarring and makes for a more natural-looking reconstructed breast. But if the tumor is large or near the skin, this procedure may not be an option. Skin-sparing mastectomies require breast reconstruction right after surgery.

Nipple-sparing mastectomy. The surgeon removes the whole breast but leaves the skin, nipple, and areola. Nipple-sparing mastectomy may not be an option if the tumor is large or if cancer cells are found near the skin, nipple, or areola. It also may not be an option for people with larger breasts.

Radical mastectomy. This type of mastectomy was common in the past, but it is now rarely performed because it does not improve how long people live. It involves removing the chest wall muscles and all lymph nodes, as well as the whole breast, nipple, areola, and skin. A surgeon may still suggest a radical mastectomy if the cancer cells have spread to the chest wall muscles.