BMC’s Yawkey building doors are now closed as an entrance as part of our ongoing efforts to enhance our campus and provide you with the best clinical care.

All patients and visitors on our main campus must enter our hospital via Shapiro, Menino, or Moakley buildings, where they will be greeted by team members at a new centralized check-in desk before continuing to the hospital. We are excited to welcome you and appreciate your patience as we improve our facilities.

Mastectomy

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Mastectomy removes the whole breast. There are multiple types of mastectomy. The two most common types of mastectomy are simple (total) mastectomy and modified radical mastectomy. A simple mastectomy removes just the breast. When the lymph nodes underneath the arm (called the axillary lymph nodes) are removed in addition to the breast, it is called a modified radical mastectomy.

Side Effects of Breast Surgery

As with any treatment, side effects are always a possibility. Possible side effects for breast surgery include

  • Swelling and tenderness of the breast
  • Pain
  • Change in the shape of the breast(s)
  • Wound infection
  • Build-up of blood or clear fluid in the wound
  • Lymphedema (swelling of the arm or chest as a result of having the axillary lymph nodes removed)

Women with early stage breast cancer who choose to have a mastectomy have a 2% to 5% chance of the cancer recurring, whereas women who opt to have breast-conserving surgery and radiation treatment have a 10% to 15% chance of the cancer recurring. There is no difference in terms of survival.

Breast Cancer Program