What does a radical mastectomy entail?

A radical mastectomy is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of the entire breast, all of the associated breast tissue, and the lymph nodes in the axilla (armpit area) as well as the underlying minor pectoral muscle. This procedure is primarily performed in cases where there is a significant risk of breast cancer spread, and its goal is to ensure that all potentially affected tissues are removed to reduce the risk of recurrence.

The inclusion of the minor pectoral muscle sets this procedure apart from other types of mastectomies, such as a simple mastectomy, which only removes the breast tissue itself, or a modified radical mastectomy, which typically preserves some muscle while still removing breast tissue and lymph nodes. The thoroughness of a radical mastectomy is essential in certain aggressive cases of breast cancer, where comprehensive removal of tissue is necessary to achieve the best possible outcome for the patient.