In a modified radical mastectomy, which structures are primarily removed?

In a modified radical mastectomy, the primary structures that are removed include the breast tissue along with a significant number of the axillary lymph nodes. This surgical procedure is designed to treat breast cancer while aiming to preserve as much surrounding tissue as possible compared to a radical mastectomy, which removes more muscle and tissue.

The removal of lymph nodes is crucial because it helps to assess and reduce the risk of cancer spreading. By focusing on both the breast and the lymph nodes, the modified radical mastectomy effectively addresses the primary tumor and potential metastasis, making it a vital procedure in the management of breast cancer diagnosis.

Other options focus on different combinations of structures that do not align with the standard approach of a modified radical mastectomy. For example, option D, which mentions only breast tissue, overlooks the critical component of lymph node removal, while options involving muscle, skin, and fascial tissue address structures that are not the primary focus of this particular surgical strategy.