Women's Center
Thursday, March 28, 2024

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Mastectomy

Modified Radical


Your Body

This information is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor. MedSelfEd, Inc. disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.
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Before we talk about treatment, let's start with a discussion about the human body and about your medical condition.

Your doctor has recommended that you have a modified radical mastectomy. But what does that actually mean?
Traditionally, a Radical Mastectomy called for the removal of the breast, surrounding tissue and even the chest muscle below.
A Modified Radical Mastectomy is a procedure in which the breast and surrounding tissue are removed, while leaving the chest muscle intact. In most cases, mastectomy is required in order to remove cancerous tissue from the body. The extent of tissue removed is determined by the amount of cancer present in your body.
A Modified Radical Mastectomy is one the most extensive forms of breast cancer surgery in that it calls for the complete removal not only of the breast, but of the lymph nodes as well.
Lymph nodes are small junctions that join the vessels that make up the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system circulates a bodily fluid called lymph in the same way that the circulatory system carries blood.
Your doctor has recommended that you undergo a modified radical mastectomy because the cancer in your breast may have begun to move into the lymph nodes under your arm as well as into your chest muscle.
This procedure will permanently change the outward shape and appearance of your chest.
So make sure that you ask your doctor to carefully explain the reasons behind this recommendation.

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