A palliative mastectomy is a type of surgery in which one or both breasts are taken off. It is usually done when a woman’s breast cancer has spread to other parts of her body and cannot be cured. The goal of a palliative mastectomy is not to cure cancer, but to help the patient feel better and live a better life. This surgery may be suggested if other treatments, like chemotherapy or radiation, are no longer working to control cancer or if cancer or its treatment is causing the patient a lot of pain or discomfort. “Comfort care mastectomy” is another name for a palliative mastectomy.
Patients who have advanced breast cancer that has already progressed to other parts of the body and is not treatable may be candidates for palliative mastectomy, which is often performed to alleviate symptoms and improve the quality of life in such patients. Patients who are experiencing significant pain or discomfort as a result of cancer or its treatment may be recommended to undergo the surgery. Additionally, patients whose cancer has grown to a size that makes it difficult for them to move around or care for themselves may also be candidates for the procedure.
Palliative mastectomy is a surgical procedure that removes the breast to alleviate symptoms caused by breast cancer and to lessen the likelihood that the disease may spread to other parts of the body or return. It is possible that the removal of malignant tissue that is the source of other issues, such as an infection or bleeding, will be advised.
Patients who have advanced breast cancer and are considering palliative mastectomy want to improve their quality of life and reduce the severity of their symptoms as much as possible. Its purpose is not to treat or cure the patient’s cancer; rather, it is to make the patient more comfortable and offer support.
A palliative mastectomy is when a breast is surgically removed. The procedure is similar to a regular mastectomy, but it is usually done to improve a person’s quality of life instead of to treat cancer. Details of the surgery will depend on the person’s situation and the surgeon’s personal preferences. In general, the following steps may be part of a palliative mastectomy:
Preparing for surgery: This may involve blood tests, imaging studies, and other diagnostic tests to figure out how healthy the person is overall and to plan the surgery.
Anaesthesia: General anaesthesia will be used to put the person to sleep and make them feel comfortable during the surgery.
Incision: To get to the breast tissue, the surgeon will make a cut in the skin. The cut can be made around the areola (the dark skin around the nipple), down the centre of the breast, or in the shape of an anchor.
Taking out the breast tissue: The surgeon will take out the breast tissue, including the nipple and areola.
Closing the cut: The doctor will use stitches or staples to close the cut.
Recovery: After surgery, the person will be taken to a room where they will be watched until they are awake and stable. Then, they will be moved to a room in the hospital or sent home to rest.
A palliative mastectomy also called comfort care or humanitarian mastectomy is a surgery to remove a breast to improve the quality of life for patients. The goal of the surgery is to get rid of pain, discomfort, or other physical problems that the breast is causing. Some of the possible benefits of a palliative mastectomy are:
Relief of physical symptoms: The breast may be causing physical pain or discomfort, such as skin irritation or pressure on the chest. Getting rid of the breast can help ease these problems.
Improved quality of life: The surgery may help improve a person’s overall quality of life by making them feel less pain and making it easier for them to do everyday tasks.
Emotional relief: For some people, the idea of having breast cancer that is visible or a breast that hurts can be upsetting. Getting rid of the breast may help a person feel better emotionally and improve their sense of well-being.
More treatment options: A person who has a palliative mastectomy may be able to think about other treatments that were not possible before because of the breast.
Please note that: Palliative mastectomy is a major surgery that comes with risks, such as infection, bleeding, and scarring. Before making a decision, you should carefully think about the pros and cons of the surgery and talk about them with your doctor.
Palliative treatments are very different, but they often include medication, dietary changes, relaxation techniques, emotional and spiritual support, and other therapies. You may also get palliative care like chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation therapy, which are also used to treat cancer.
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About
Dr. Mansi Chowhan
Oncoplastic Breast Surgeon-Surgical Oncologist
MS (Gold Medalist), FIAGES, MCh Breast Oncoplasty (UK), Fellow Breast Surgery (Paris), Fellow Head & Neck Surgery, IFHNOS – MSKCC (New York)
Dr. Mansi Chowhan is an expert Oncoplastic Breast Surgeon with experience of more than 14 years and has been awarded with a gold medal during her surgical post-graduation. Dr. Mansi is well-trained from world renowned surgeons and cancer institutions like the Paris Breast Centre, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre (New York), University of East Anglia (U.K.) and Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai. She is a skilled surgeon with over 14 years of experience in some of the best hospitals in the Delhi- NCR region including Fortis Hospital, Artemis Hospital, Paras Hospital and Asian Institute of Medical Sciences, CK Birla Hospital. She works with utmost dedication and compassion to deliver international standard and personalized cancer care to the patients.
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