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Risks

By Mayo Clinic staff

Bleeding and infection at the surgical site are potential risks of mastectomy, as with any surgery. Between 20 and 60 percent of women experience chronic pain following mastectomy, called post-mastectomy pain syndrome. Symptoms include chest wall pain and tingling down your arm. You may also experience pain or itching in your shoulder, armpit or surgical scar.

Other possible risks of mastectomy include:

  • Swelling (lymphedema) in your arm
  • Formation of hard scar tissue at the surgical site
  • Shoulder pain and stiffness
  • Numbness, particularly under your arm, from lymph node removal
  • Buildup of blood in the surgical site (hematoma)

In addition to the physical risks, losing a breast or adjusting to a different breast shape, feel and appearance can be difficult psychologically. The changes can affect how you feel about yourself and your sexuality, at least for a time.

How you prepare Why it's done
References
  1. Kass RB, et al. Breast procedures. In: Souba W, et al. ACS Surgery: Principles and Practice. 6th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: BC Decker Inc.; 2007.
  2. Benson JR, et al. Early breast cancer. The Lancet. 2009;373:1463.
  3. Breast cancer. Merck Manuals Online Medical Library for Health Care Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/print/sec18/ch253/ch253e.html. Accessed Sept. 10, 2009.
  4. Sabel MS, et al. Mastectomy and breast conserving therapy for invasive breast cancer. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 10, 2009.
  5. Breast cancer. NCCN Practice Guidelines in Oncology - v. 1.2009. http://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/f_guidelines.asp. Accessed Sept. 10, 2009.
  6. Iglehart JD, et al. Surgical treatment of breast cancer. In: Townsend CM, et al. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery, 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders, 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/154656547-3/875806831/1565/335.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-3675-3.50038-1--cesec62_1699. Accessed Sept. 10, 2009.
  7. Hayes DF. An overview of breast cancer and treatment for early stage disease. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 10, 2009.
  8. Surgery for breast cancer. American Cancer Society. http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_4X_Surgery_5.asp?sitearea=. Accessed Sept. 10, 2009.
  9. Mastectomy. MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002919.htm. Accessed Sept. 10, 2009.
  10. Giuliano AE. Breast. In: Doherty GM, et al. Current Surgical Diagnosis & Treatment. McGraw-Hill's AccessMedicine. http://www.accessmedicine.com/popup.aspx?aID=2064014&pr. Accessed Sept. 10, 2009.
  11. What's new in breast cancer research and treatment? American Cancer Society. http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_6X_ _Whats_new_in_breast_cancer_research_and_treatment_5.asp?rnav=cri. Accessed Sept. 10, 2009.
  12. Abeloff MD, et al. Cancer of the breast. In: Abeloff MD, et al. Abeloff's Clinical Oncology, 4th Ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier; 2008.  http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/159336554-2/0/1565/335.html?tocnode=54737888&fromURL=335.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-3675-3..50038-1--cesec57_1694. Accessed Sept. 10, 2009.
  13. Breast cancer treatment (PDQ). National Cancer Institute. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/breast/HealthProfessional. Accessed Sept. 10, 2009.
  14. Phan GQ, et al. Breast diseases. In: Klingensmith ME, et al. The Washington Manual of Surgery. Philadelphia, Pa: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins;2008. http://ovidsp.tx.ovid.com/spb/ovidweb.cgi QS2=434f4e1a73d37e8c504983e01e46c99af31ce7243ee1f74f262998fba337c8b7375532a6539e7b9c9fc5b3c41a37619fe58847e2d604f4f852779257c613415d819d59dc3df1a1a160d82bf856f201f6d6a305e54f34f9e90263c4933353ccdcf201e30069b2c7a5ae9dd7b3200d01822b5b52168662a9c8b276828f2f600cd2e3e35162c5cb0c2a1a890374a207fc54e9100f7f29156bbaad4c34774cbaca0a5948911e292ccdb87aa3e38d8a2f21d6d084f19757b71f61576c3f3bdfb02eafe0815e3f6e3b9214cfc5ba1b8f46e8f5b117f2d6cd7795ca9fdff3793a2ab0135c5e04711d38afb555f896d7f6c499f64b7775272b03c0e19713399cf831f8a49636db897847b02a13a11f426984a1ca74c39046d4c4b1c22d251cd551018f5b099da37d13e02c3140f4185a4589465ef6a8c23a13581541. Accessed Sept. 10, 2009.

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Oct. 17, 2009

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