Mastectomy
An operation to remove the whole breast
Most of the breast tissue is removed during a mastectomy, which is used to treat breast cancer in both women and men
What is a mastectomy?
During the operation, all cancerous tissue is removed from the breast. This is to decrease the risk of the cancer growing back and spreading.
Need to know
-
What happens during surgery? icon plus
This procedure is carried out under a general anaesthetic, so you'll be asleep. During the operation, your surgeon will make a horizontal or diagonal cut on your breast so they can remove the breast tissue. Some skin will also be removed, the amount depends on the type of mastectomy you have. Your nipple may or may not need to be removed.
Your surgeon will insert drains to stop fluid and blood building up. These are usually left in for around three to five days. Sometimes breast reconstruction surgery is done at the same time. The size of your scar depends on the amount of skin and tissue being removed. -
How to prepare icon plus
Before having a mastectomy, talk to your consultant about what's involved. They'll be able to talk to you about how the operation could affect you both physically and emotionally. Like all procedures, there may be some risks and side effects involved. Your consultant will explain these to you.
As you're having general anaesthetic, your consultant will tell you how long to avoid eating and drinking beforehand. You may need to have chemotherapy or hormone therapy to reduce the size of any tumours before your surgery.
A breast reconstruction may be carried out immediately after a mastectomy but this depends on your treatment plan. -
After surgery icon plus
You'll be cared for in hospital overnight following surgery. Your consultant will let you know when you can go home. How long you need to stay depends on the type of surgery you have, but you may need to stay for a few days.
Your consultant or nurse will let you know how to look after your wounds, and also talk to you about what type of bra you can wear. It usually takes around three to six weeks to recover fully.
Paying for medical treatment
Our breast care consultants
Our locations
From complex breast and oncoplastic surgery to screening and diagnostic procedures, we provide exceptional surgical breast care across our network of hospitals, outpatient centres and specialist clinics.
-
The Breast Unit
The Harley Street Clinic
35 Weymouth Street
London. W1G 8BJ
-
The Breast Unit at The Wellington Hospital
Platinum Medical Centre
15-17 Lodge Road, St John's Wood
London NW8 7JA
-
London Breast Institute
42–52 Nottingham Place
London
W1U 5NY
-
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street
London
SE1 2PR
-
The Lister Hospital
Chelsea Bridge Road
London
SW1W 8RH
-
HCA UK at The Shard
The Shard
32 St Thomas Street
London SE1 9BS
Book an appointment
Our team can help with any enquiries or you can make an appointment with one of our experienced consultants.
Call us today
020 7079 4344