Modified Radical Mastectomy Health Article

Definition

A surgical procedure that removes the breast, surrounding tissue, and nearby lymph nodes that are affected by cancer.

Purpose

The purpose for modified radical mastectomy is the removal of breast cancer (abnormal cells in the breast that grow rapidly and replace normal healthy tissue). Modified radical mastectomy is the most widely used surgical procedure to treat operable breast cancer. This procedure leaves a chest muscle called the pectoralis major intact. Leaving this muscle in place will provide a soft tissue covering over the chest wall and a normal-appearing junction of the shoulder with the anterior (front) chest wall. This sparing of the pectoralis major muscle will avoid a disfiguring hollow defect below the clavicle. Additionally, the purpose of modified radical mastectomy is to allow for the option of breast reconstruction, a procedure that is possible, if desired, due to intact muscles around the shoulder of the affected side. The modified radical mastectomy procedure involves removal of large multiple tumor growths located underneath the nipple and cancer cells on the breast margins.

Demographics

The highest rates of breast cancer occur in Western countries (more than 100 cases per 100,000 women) and the lowest among Asian countries (10–15 cases per 100,000 women). Men can also have breast cancer, but the incidence is much less when compared to women. There is a strong genetic correlation since breast cancer is more prevalent in females who had a close relative (mother, sister, maternal aunt, or maternal grandmother) with previous breast cancer. Increased susceptibility for development of breast cancer can occur in females who never breastfed a baby, had a child after age 30, started menstrual periods very early, or experienced menopause very late.

In the United States, there were approximately 175,000 cases of breast cancer in 1999 with more than 43,000 deaths. Breast cancer accounts for 30% of all cancer diagnosed in American women and for 16% of all cancer deaths. Breast cancer is a worldwide public health problem since there are approximately one million new cases diagnosed annually. A woman's lifetime risk of developing breast cancer is one in eight. The incidence rose 21% from 1973 to 1990, but in recent years there has been a decline.