Simple mastectomies are surgical removals of breast tissue without any removal of lymph nodes. The spelling of "mastectomies" is derived from the Greek word "mastos," meaning breast, and the suffix "-ectomy," which means removal. The word is pronounced /ˈsɪmpəl ˈmæstɛktəmiːz/ with the stress on the first syllable. The phonetic transcription of "mastectomies" starts with the "s" sound, followed by the "ih" as in "sit," the "m" sound, "puh" as in "cup," "l" sound, "mae" as in "may," "s" sound, "t" sound, the "eh" as in "pet," "k" sound, "uh" as in "up," "m" sound, "ee" as in "
A simple mastectomy is a surgical procedure aimed at removing the entire breast tissue, along with the nipple and areola, without removing any lymph nodes in the armpit or the underlying chest muscles. It is typically performed for the treatment or prevention of breast cancer in cases where the cancer has not spread beyond the breast or the axillary lymph nodes are tumor-free.
During the procedure, an incision is made either horizontally or diagonally across the breast, allowing the surgeon to remove all breast tissue. The remaining skin is then stitched together to reform a smaller breast mound. In some cases, breast reconstruction surgery may be performed simultaneously or at a later stage to restore the breast's appearance.
A simple mastectomy has several advantages. It is a less invasive surgery compared to radical mastectomy, which involves the removal of lymph nodes and chest muscles. It also requires a shorter recovery period, with fewer complications associated with post-surgical pain and limited arm mobility. Moreover, it allows for more options in breast reconstruction techniques and provides a better aesthetic outcome.
However, it is important to note that a simple mastectomy does not address the potential spread of cancer cells to the lymph nodes. Therefore, in cases where cancer has spread or when there is a high risk of lymph node involvement, additional treatments such as radiation therapy or chemotherapy may be recommended.
The word "simple" in the term "simple mastectomies" comes from the Latin word "simplus", meaning "single" or "uncomplicated". It refers to a type of surgical procedure known as a mastectomy, which involves the removal of one or both breasts to treat or prevent breast cancer. The term "simple" differentiates this procedure from more complex variations, such as radical mastectomy or modified radical mastectomy, which involve the removal of additional tissues, lymph nodes, or muscles.