Invasive breast cancer requires a modified radical mastectomy, which not only removes the breast, but also removes some of the axillary lymph nodes at the same time. The simple mastectomy, because it is less extensive than the modified radical mastectomy has fewer side-effects. Women who undergo simple mastectomy rarely have any difficulties with decreased shoulder movement or arm swelling after surgery. The simple mastectomy is a shorter surgery and has a faster recovery time than the modified radical mastectomy. It is the only recommended treatment for multifocal DCIS, extensive DCIS, or DCIS that has reoccurred after lumpectomy and radiation therapy.
Simple mastectomy is a relatively short surgery with a short hospital stay and a speedy recovery.
Compared to a 6 week course of radiation, simple mastectomy is much more time efficient. After a simple mastectomy, a patient can very successfully have breast reconstruction surgery to recreate a breast on the side of the surgery. Reconstruction surgery can be done immediately at the time of mastectomy, or at a later date. The major drawback to simple mastectomy is that the patient loses her breast. This will result in a major cosmetic loss and change in body image for the patient.