Surgery for breast cancer:

• Lumpectomy for breast cancer:
• The most common surgery, where only the cancer is removed
• Total mastectomy:
• Removal of the entire breast and some lymph nodes under the arm
• Radical mastectomy:
• Removal of the entire breast, chest muscles, and some lymph nodes under the arm
• Modified radical mastectomy:
• Removal of the entire breast, the lining over the chest muscles, and some lymph nodes under the arm

Doctors need to know if the cancer has spread beyond the breast. During surgery, the lymph nodes undergo biopsy. These nodes can be located during surgery using colored or radioactive dyes.

Breast removal is often followed by reconstructive surgery. There are many methods to restore a breast that has been removed.