Mastectomy is the surgical removal of all or part of the breast for the treatment or prevention of breast cancer. The size, location, and type of tumor are very important when choosing the best surgery to treat a woman's breast cancer. The size of the breast is also an important factor. A woman's psychological concerns, and her lifestyle choices should also be considered when decisions are made.

The severity of a cancer is evaluated according to a complex system called staging. This takes into account the size of the tumor, and whether it has spread to the lymph nodes, adjacent tissues, and/or distant parts of the body. A mastectomy is usually recommended for more advanced breast cancers. Women with earlier stage breast cancers, who could have breast conserving surgery, in which only the tumor and surrounding tissue are removed (called a lumpectomy), may decide to have a...